Australia launches Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit and commits A$53bn over a decade in updated National Defence Strategy

Australia has established a Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit (MASU) and published an update to its National Defence Strategy on 16 April 2026, alongside the 2026 Integrated Investment Program committing an additional A$14 billion in defence spending over four years and A$53 billion over the decade. MASU will field a range of uncrewed surface and subsurface platforms including Anduril’s Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle, Ocius Technologies’ Bluebottle USV and C2 Robotics’ Speartooth large UUV. A dedicated Deployable Vehicle Team will enable launch, control and sustainment of autonomous systems from forward locations. The programme reflects lessons from the US-Israel-Iran conflict on the strategic value of scalable autonomous platforms, and positions Australia within a broader Five Eyes and AUKUS move toward persistent maritime ISR using uncrewed systems.