MQ-28A Ghost Bat-Next Generation Australian Combat Drone

Australia is also enhancing its defence by developing MQ-28A Ghost Bat, which is unmanned combat aircraft that is destined to work alongside the manned fighter jets. This is a great move towards the nation, as it strives to enhance its military independence in the Indo-Pacific area.

Strategic Background

Australia has over the decades been relying on the United States to provide high-technology in the military technology department. Yet, the emerging regional tensions and the fast developing military power of China have put pressure on Australia to regain sovereign defence capability. It is in the spirit of a global shift toward unmanned systems in modern warfare that the Ghost Bat, the first major domestically-designed and built combat aircraft in more than 50 years has been developed.

Design and Features

The Ghost Bat is 38 feet long and constructed to act as a “loyal wingman” to piloted fighters. It is capable of carrying out autonomous missions as well as the possibility to control it remotely. It can cover the distance of almost 2,300 miles and travel the length of Australia. It is worth noting that the drone is far cheaper--approximately ten times less expensive than an F-35 fighter plane--so it would be economical to use it in large numbers.

Industrial and Economic Effect.

Boeing in conjunction with the Australian government is the foremost in production, with almost 70 percent of the components produced locally. The focus of this is new facilities in Queensland, where a defence industrial base had been largely eroded since the Vietnam War. In addition to strengthening the national security, the project is likely to create the export market prospects making Australia a competitive participant in the defence market.

Regional and Global Implication.

The project has garnered about 650 million dollars committed by Australia as an indication of its long-term defence strategy. Ghost Bat increases the flexibility of operations, cuts down on the exposure of the pilot and minimizes the cost of operation in relation to traditional aircraft. The victory of such program may affect the position of Australia within regional security systems, such as AUKUS, and contribute to the development of momentum in the global competition of advanced unmanned combat systems.