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Australia to Spend Billions on Drones as Warfare Changes
The funding will expand Ghost Bat and Ghost Shark programs and add at least $2 billion for smaller drones and counter-drone defenses, officials said.
- On Tuesday, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced Australia will boost drone spending by up to $5 billion, bringing total investment to at least $12 billion over the next decade.
- Rapid advancements in autonomous systems shown in Ukraine and Middle East conflicts generate significant asymmetric advantage against larger, more expensive platforms, Marles said.
- Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy stated Australia is at the forefront of technologies like the Ghost Bat and Ghost Shark, saying "in many parts of this technology, we lead the world."
- The government will release the new Integrated Investment Program on Thursday, which includes at least $2 billion in funding, though officials have not specified which projects will be "reprioritised.
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Eye-watering drone spend dismissed as ‘window-dressing’
Australia’s multi-billion dollar investment in drones will not be enough to incorporate lessons learned in foreign conflicts, an expert says. The federal government will spend an extra $2 to $5 billion on upgrading the Australian Defence Force’s autonomous capabilities over the next decade. The funding will be unveiled in the 2026 Integrated Investment Program to be launched by Defence Minister Richard Marles on Thursday. It adds to the $10 bill…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources32
Leaning Left3Leaning Right9Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Center
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center
45% Center
14%
C 45%
R 41%
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