The Australia will increase spending on drone and counter-drone capabilities by up to Au$5 billion ($3.6 billion), as evolving conflict dynamics in the Middle East reshape modern warfare, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday.
Marles noted that the growing use of low-cost, mass-produced drones in conflicts such as the Ukraine war and Middle East hostilities has highlighted the need for both offensive and defensive drone technologies.
The government plans to allocate between Au$12 billion and Au$15 billion over the next decade toward autonomous defence systems, ahead of the release of an updated national defence strategy.
Australia has already prioritised advanced capabilities, including large autonomous platforms such as the Ghost Shark submarine and the Ghost Bat combat drone, developed in partnership with Boeing.
According to Marles, smaller drones will complement these systems by providing scale and flexibility, reflecting trends seen in recent conflicts where large numbers of inexpensive drones have played a decisive role.
The investment aligns with Australia’s broader defence posture, which has increasingly focused on strengthening missile capabilities and securing its northern approaches amid concerns over the growing naval presence of China.
Australia is also advancing its AUKUS partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom, aimed at acquiring nuclear-powered submarines and enhancing long-term defence capabilities.
The planned spending boost underscores a strategic shift toward autonomous and scalable technologies as central components of future military operations.
