Australia Buys Six New Ghost Bat Drones in $930M Deal

Australia has taken a major step forward in advanced air combat technology by signing a 1.4-billion Australian dollar ($930-million) contract with Boeing Defence Australia for the delivery of six MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones. This move transitions the indigenous platform from an experimental demonstrator to a fully operational capability for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). As one of the world’s most advanced Loyal Wingman drones, the Ghost Bat represents a new era of human-machine teaming, enhancing air combat strength, survivability, and autonomous mission execution.

A Landmark Contract for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat

The new agreement builds on Australia’s earlier investments in the Ghost Bat program. Under the contract, Boeing will deliver six Block 2 Ghost Bat aircraft while simultaneously developing an enhanced Block 3 prototype within the next three years. This advancement aims to support full operational capability by 2028, marking a clear pathway toward expanded autonomous combat readiness.

The contract also follows the drone’s successful first live-fire test, where the Ghost Bat launched an AIM-120 AMRAAM at an airborne target. This milestone proved the drone’s combat potential and validated its role as a collaborative aircraft capable of both sensing and striking.

Evolving Toward Operational Capability

Earlier investments included eight Block 1 aircraft and three Block 2 variants ordered by Australia. The new contract accelerates the shift from testing to deployment, ensuring the RAAF has a scalable and adaptable fleet. Beyond procurement, the agreement introduces a number of key design enhancements most notably, the addition of an internal weapons bay, which increases survivability and mission flexibility while maintaining a low-observable profile.

With these upgrades, the Ghost Bat is positioned to serve as a vital force multiplier for Australia’s fighter aircraft, enabling pilots to operate safely at standoff distances while unmanned assets undertake high-risk tasks.

Part of a Broader $10 Billion Drone Investment

The Ghost Bat program is just one component of Australia’s wider commitment to autonomous and uncrewed aerial systems. Over the next decade, the government plans to invest 10 billion Australian dollars ($6 billion) in drone capabilities, including 4.3 billion Australian dollars ($2.82 billion) dedicated specifically to uncrewed aerial systems.

This large-scale investment underscores Australia’s long-term strategy to modernize its air combat capabilities, enhance deterrence, and maintain technological superiority across the Indo-Pacific region. The Ghost Bat effort alone supports more than 440 high-skilled jobs nationwide, spanning engineering, manufacturing, artificial intelligence development, and advanced aerospace research.

Government and Industry Leadership

Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy emphasized that the Ghost Bat program positions Australia at the forefront of global autonomous air combat development. “With Ghost Bat, the future of collaborative air combat is right here, right now,” he stated. According to Conroy, Australia is not only investing in next-generation platforms but is also leading the world in developing aircraft that can work autonomously alongside human pilots.

He added that the Ghost Bat effectively transforms a single fighter jet into a multi-aircraft combat team, capable of performing reconnaissance, surveillance, and engagement missions. This capability reduces risks for human pilots, providing an essential layer of protection in high-threat environments.

The Loyal Wingman of the Future

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is designed as a collaborative combat aircraft, commonly referred to as a Loyal Wingman. Built to operate alongside fighter jets like the F-35A and F/A-18F, the drone expands the RAAF’s ability to conduct missions without exposing pilots to unnecessary danger.

Advanced Sensing and Targeting

One of the aircraft’s unique features is its reconfigurable nose section, which can be swapped to accommodate different mission payloads. This allows the Ghost Bat to support a variety of operational roles, including:

• AESA radar for long-range detection
• Electro-optical/infrared sensors for tracking and identification
• Electronic attack systems for suppressing enemy defenses
• Signals intelligence modules for monitoring communications
• Future internal weapons bays for precision strike capability

This level of modularity provides exceptional mission flexibility and makes the MQ-28 a valuable support asset for both defensive and offensive operations.

Performance and Cost Advantages

Measuring 38 feet (11.7 meters) in length, the Ghost Bat boasts an impressive range of more than 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 kilometers). This allows it to conduct extended missions across vast maritime zones, making it ideal for Australia’s unique geographic requirements.

Moreover, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat is exceptionally cost-effective priced at roughly one-tenth the cost of a modern crewed fighter aircraft. This affordability enables air forces to field larger numbers of autonomous aircraft without sacrificing operational capability.

Also read this: Russia Deploys 24 New Combat Aircraft in 2025

Strengthening Australia’s Air Combat Edge

The addition of six new Ghost Bats marks a major leap in Australia’s air combat modernization. As threats continue evolving across the Indo-Pacific region, integrating autonomous assets will be crucial for maintaining deterrence, improving situational awareness, and expanding Australia’s reach across maritime and air domains.

With ongoing development of the Block 3 prototype, Australia is laying the foundation for a future air combat fleet that blends the strengths of human pilots with autonomous drones enhancing survivability, resilience, and overall mission performance.

Australia’s $930-million order for six new Ghost Bat drones cements the MQ-28 as a central pillar of the RAAF’s future air combat strategy. With advanced sensing capabilities, long range, modular design, and proven live-fire performance, the Ghost Bat is emerging as one of the world’s most innovative Loyal Wingman systems. As Australia continues investing heavily in drone technology, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat is poised to become a defining asset in shaping the future of air warfare.

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