Australia is making significant strides in offensive drone technology with the introduction of the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat, the nation's first domestically designed military aircraft in over five decades, which will be capable of operating alongside crewed aircraft in a coordinated manner.

The Ghost Bat is scheduled for air-to-air missile testing in 2025 and will be produced in Queensland, aiming to boost local industry and explore export opportunities.

To bolster national security, the Australian federal government will invest $1.3 billion over the next decade in counter-drone technology as part of Defence's Project Land 156, with deployment targeted by the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

This advanced technology will include command and control systems, sensors, and effectors designed to enhance the Australian Defence Force's ability to protect military bases and support civil authorities in urban areas.

Australia is actively monitoring drone use in conflicts such as Ukraine, continuously upgrading its counter-drone capabilities to address emerging threats.

The initiative emphasizes interoperability between military and civilian drone defense systems, with plans to collaborate with state governments for major events like the Brisbane Olympics.