Australia to Invest AU$1.7B in Ghost Shark Underwater Drones
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
The Ghost Shark program represents exactly the kind of cutting-edge defense capability Australia needs right now. With China's navy becoming the world's largest and conducting provocative live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea, autonomous underwater drones offer a smart, cost-effective deterrent that can patrol vast ocean areas without risking human lives. These aren't just expensive toys — they're force multipliers that can level the playing field against numerically superior adversaries through advanced AI and stealth technology.
Government-critical narrative
Spending AU$1.7 billion on unproven drone technology while the AUKUS submarine program faces delays and cost overruns shows misplaced priorities. The Trump administration is already reviewing AUKUS to ensure it serves America's interests first, yet Australia keeps doubling down on expensive military hardware that may never deliver promised capabilities. This massive investment in autonomous weapons systems raises serious questions about accountability and the wisdom of letting AI make life-and-death decisions in contested waters.
Metaculus Prediction
The Controversies
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