Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare
Australia’s Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle. (Photo: Rodney Braithwaite/Australian Government Defence)
Australia’s new defence innovation strategy indicates a shift from platform-centric to network-centric undersea warfare, with Ocius and Anduril Industries pointing to fast-growing opportunities for local industry.
Australia’s Department of Defence (DoD) has signalled a shift away from platform-centric undersea procurement, with its 2026 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy (DISTS) describing a future built around autonomous sensor networks, artificial intelligence-enabled acoustic processing and distributed surveillance.
The Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous undersea vehicle (XL-AUV) and the SSN-AUKUS submarine programme have grabbed Australian industry attention. However, the DISTS – published by the DoD in July 2026 – reads like a blueprint for an “integrated Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Ecosystem” intended to move technology from research to the warfighter “at the speed of relevance”.
Defence Minister Richard Marles
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Navies need cheaper ways to defeat drones, but can they sustain merchant protection?]()
Navies need cheaper ways to defeat drones, but can they sustain merchant protection?
New interceptors and launchers could help navies preserve missile stocks during prolonged escort operations. Yet lower engagement costs will only improve merchant protection if the weapons are available where ships need defending.
-
![Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes]()
Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes
With its B-26 USV in full-rate production, Blue Ops is seeking to turn overseas interest into orders through a combination of lower operating costs, UAV integration and local manufacturing.
-
![Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push]()
Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push
Chief growth officer Sir Nick Hine tells Shephard how Babcock is lining up New Zealand, Chile, Denmark and the US for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, speaks on the hybrid navy offer and talks AUKUS.
