Drones and other uncrewed capabilities to be a big feature of new National Defence Strategy
- Written by: Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
Drone and other autonomous military capabilities will be one of the central features of the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program to be unveiled by Defence Minister Richard Marles on Thursday.
The government will invest between $12–15 billion in uncrewed and autonomous systems over the next decade to 2035–36.
This includes up to $8.1 billion in air capabilities, up to $4.5 billion in maritime capabilities and up to $2.4 billion in land capabilities.
The government says investment in smaller uncrewed systems alone will be between $2.2–3.1 billion across the three areas.
The funding is an increase of between $2–5 billion since the release of the 2024 National Defence Strategy.
This is the second National Defence Strategy. They are set for release every two years.
The Americans will be watching for what the strategy says, or indicates, about overall defence spending. This is presently just over 2% of GDP, set to rise to 2.3%-2.4% by 2033-34. The Trump administration in the United States has said it wants much higher spending by Australia.
The Chinese will be scrutinising the strategy for whether it is explicit about the perceived threat from China, or plays it down.
On uncrewed capabilities, the government’s investment ranges from large uncrewed systems, such as Ghost Bat and Ghost Shark, to smaller systems. The program includes investments in these systems:
Maritime systems:
Ghost Shark: a fleet of extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles designed and built in Australia. More than 40 Australian suppliers are involved in the supply chain, and Australian industry content comprises at least 51% of the production contract.
Speartooth: a fleet of large uncrewed underwater vehicles, capable of conducting shorter-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, strike and logistics operations.
Bluebottle: a fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles, providing surveillance and anti‑submarine warfare capabilities. In March, the government announced a $176 million investment to deliver 40 new Australian–designed and –built Bluebottles. This will expand the Navy’s operational fleet to 55 Bluebottles.
Air systems:
MQ-28A Ghost Bat: the Australian–designed and –manufactured aircraft delivers asymmetric surveillance and air combat capabilities, increasing the lethality and survivability of existing crewed platforms.
MQ-4C Triton: provides high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coverage across Australia’s maritime approaches, with extended range and endurance. Three Tritons are already operating at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, with the fourth and final aircraft to be delivered before the end of the decade.
Land systems:
- Defence is working with manufacturers to deliver uncrewed air and ground systems to the Army, and strengthen surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting and logistics capabilities. This includes counter-drone capabilities.
The government has also amended Defence regulations to strengthen its authority to detect and disable or destroy drones suspected of posing a threat to ADF assets and bases.
Marles said the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown how important drones and uncrewed systems are.
Expanding our fleet of autonomous and uncrewed systems across all domains will not only help the ADF keep our nation safe, but will boost Australia’s sovereign defence industry – supporting local jobs and harnessing Australian innovation.
He added that Australia was at the forefront of technologies, such as Ghost Bat and Ghost Shark, which are being designed and manufactured here.
Authors: Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
