Australia Signs $660M Contract for First 6 MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drones

Australia has moved to procure its first operational batch of MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft, signing a reported contract worth approximately AU$1 billion (USD$660 million) with Boeing for an initial six air vehicles. This milestone marks a critical transition of the Ghost Bat program from extended flight testing into formal acquisition by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), making the MQ-28 the first Australian-designed military aircraft to enter service since the GAF Nomad in the 1970s.

Developed by Boeing Australia under the Airpower Teaming System program, the MQ-28 represents a new class of military capability designed to operate autonomously alongside crewed aircraft. The aircraft performs as a so-called ’loyal wingman,’ executing missions including intelligence collection, sensing, and potentially weapons employment while absorbing tactical risk away from manned platforms. Boeing has previously stated that the Ghost Bat achieves a range exceeding 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles), providing significant operational reach.

Accelerated Testing Success The procurement follows an accelerated flight test campaign that concluded ahead of schedule in early 2025, with Boeing and the RAAF confirming that trials completed four months faster than originally planned. Throughout this phase, the MQ-28 demonstrated increasing autonomous capabilities and seamless integration with other air assets, including networked operations and mission execution beyond its original development envelope. In April 2025, the RAAF confirmed that the MQ-28 had flown outside its designated training area for the first time during a broader operational exercise—a critical milestone indicating the aircraft’s progression toward realistic operational employment.

Gateway Acquisition Strategy While the reported order encompasses only six aircraft, defense analysts and officials view this as a gateway acquisition rather than the final fleet size. Australian policymakers have consistently framed the Ghost Bat as a scalable capability, with quantities expected to expand if the system demonstrates operational viability and cost-effectiveness in service. Boeing is constructing a dedicated production facility in Toowoomba, Queensland, expected to become operational by 2027, positioning Australia for potential fleet expansion.

Broader Strategic Implications If confirmed, this procurement would place Australia among the first air forces worldwide to operationally acquire a purpose-designed loyal wingman-style aircraft. The development reflects a broader strategic shift across global air forces toward unmanned systems for building combat mass and complementing high-end crewed fighters in contested environments. As peer competitors increasingly field sophisticated air defenses, uncrewed systems like the Ghost Bat offer force multiplication capabilities while reducing risk to pilot personnel.

At the time of publication, neither Boeing nor Australia’s Department of Defence have publicly commented on the reported contract, including delivery timelines or follow-on acquisition options.

Source ID: SRCE-2025-1765206046383-1241