Anduril Sydney Production Facility Opening

Good morning everyone,

It’s a real pleasure to be here today to officially open this impressive new facility — a place that represents not just the future of Australian defence capability, but the future of Australian industry.

It’s a shining example of what we can achieve when we get the decision-making process and procurement process right. 

It was just a few weeks ago I stood with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chief of Navy and our friends at Anduril Australia to announce a $1.7 billion contract to deliver, support and continue developing the Ghost Shark. 

From concept to reality in less than three years, all three prototypes were delivered on budget and ahead of schedule.

And today, I’m pleased to say that the very first production variant – which you can see here - has already rolled off the assembly line. 

It’s already undergoing testing, and on track to be delivered to Navy in January next year.

So, Ghost Shark is an exemplar of how the Government and Defence is partnering with innovative companies to rapidly deliver capability to the warfighter. 

The Albanese Government has increased defence funding by $70 billion over the course of the next decade, relative to what we inherited. And we are harnessing a significant part of this increased investment to build our sea power.

We’re equipping our navy with new and enhanced missile capabilities, acquiring the upgraded Mogami class frigate, and importantly, we’re delivering these capabilities at pace.

We have delivered Naval Strike Missile, Tomahawk and Standard Missile 6 to the Navy, years ahead of what was previously planned. 

This has provided Navy with greater firepower and a ten-fold increase to its maximum weapon range, holding potential adversaries at risk at greater distances.

We have made the decision on the General-Purpose Frigate months ahead of schedule, with the first frigate to be delivered to Australia in 2029.

That means, under the Albanese Government, the Navy will receive its first new surface combatant five years earlier than was planned when we came to office.

This facility also marks a transformation — where cutting-edge innovation is being turned into sovereign capability, right here on Australian soil. 

It’s a place where Australian expertise, backed by strategic partnerships and government investment, is delivering real capability for our Defence Force and driving long-term growth in our defence industrial workforce.

Ghost Shark is a sovereign, extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle that will give Australia a real edge in the underwater battlespace.

It has been designed from the outset for manufacturability and scale. 

Its modular architecture and advanced production techniques mean it can be rapidly adapted to meet operational needs — and produced in large numbers to deliver affordable, autonomous mass. 

That’s a game-changer for maritime deterrence.

More than 40 Australian companies are already part of the supply chain — and with the Early Works Contract now in place, that number is set to grow as Anduril invests further in local industry. 

This is a clear example of how the Albanese Government is working with Australian industry to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge sovereign capability.

Ghost Shark is also a powerful example of the kind of innovation we’re driving — delivering advanced autonomous systems that shift the balance in contested environments and strengthen our ability to deter and deny threats.

This is a new way of doing business. 

It’s faster, it’s more agile, and it’s delivering results.

So today is more than just a ribbon-cutting. It’s a milestone in Australia’s journey to becoming a world leader in autonomous defence technology. 

It’s a vote of confidence in our industrial base. And it’s a clear signal that we are serious about building the capabilities we need to defend Australia and contribute to regional stability.

Congratulations to everyone who has made this possible. 

I look forward to seeing more Ghost Sharks rolling off the line — and into service — very soon.

Thank you.