• Australia has taken a major step in strengthening its sovereign defence capabilities with the development of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, a next-generation unmanned combat drone designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets.
• This marks the first Australian-designed and manufactured combat aircraft in over 50 years, reflecting a strategic shift as the nation responds to rising Indo-Pacific security challenges and China’s rapid military modernisation.
• The Ghost Bat is a 38-foot-long autonomous drone capable of flying preprogrammed missions or being remotely piloted when required. Designed as a "robot wingman," it provides support to piloted fighter aircraft while lowering operational risks.
• With a range of nearly 2,300 miles—almost the width of Australia—the Ghost Bat offers extended surveillance and strike capabilities at a fraction of the cost, roughly one-tenth the price of an F-35 fighter jet. The drone takes its name from a native Australian bat species known for agility and strength.
• The project is being developed through a partnership between Boeing and the Australian government, with nearly 70% of components manufactured domestically.
• A major production facility has been set up in Toowoomba, Queensland, signalling the revival of Australia’s defence manufacturing sector, which had declined since the Vietnam War.
• Beyond strengthening national defence, the Ghost Bat program is expected to create a sustainable defence industrial base in Australia and open up opportunities for international exports.
• Analysts see the initiative as part of a global trend in modern warfare, where unmanned systems increasingly complement and augment traditional manned platforms.