Australia Invests in Advanced Drone Technology for Future Air Warfare

Canberra has approved a $754 million contract for the development and delivery of seven additional MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones, with modifications to the design including an internal weapons bay. The program aims to develop an operational capability by 2028 and will see the delivery of the drones over the next three years. The contract was announced by Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, who hailed the MQ-28 as a world-leading platform. The drones were tested in a real-world scenario, demonstrating their air-to-air engagement capabilities.