The 38-foot long military drone, MQ-28A Ghost Bats, functions as robot-wingmen. (Photo: X/ @DefenceAust)The Australian defence industry appears to be on a spending frenzy after it tested Boeing’s unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) MQ-28A last month, which is touted as “Ghost Bat” drones and developed with a A$1 billion contract with Boeing.The “loyal wingman” drones, which are poised to accompany crewed aircraft, are the first military aircraft designed in Australia in more than 50 years. The MQ-28A drones are a part of A$4.3 billion investment in aerial drone capabilities, Financial Times reported.The 38-foot long military drone, MQ-28A Ghost Bats, functions as robot-wingmen and the Australian defence ministry is investing heavily to develop and manufacture these collaborative combat aircraft that will help the country in securing its shores as and when threat approaches.In partnership with Boeing, Australia has invested over $650 million so far to develop drones in the country. It is being seen as a tidal shift from an Australian perspective as it has been a close ally of the United States and harboured its dependency on America for military equipment. But Canberra is now jump starting its defence industry with partnerships across several defence manufacturers.Flight of the Ghost Bat! ✈️驪The MQ-28A Ghost Bat achieved first flight outside of Woomera Training area during Exercise Carlsbad.Ghost Bat is the first military aircraft designed and built in Australia in more than 50 years. #YourADF pic.twitter.com/mO3Y0upyB6— Defence Australia (@DefenceAust) June 21, 2025According to Pat Conroy, Australia’s defence minister, “We’re seeing the biggest conventional arms race since World War II. China is massively modernizing its conventional and nuclear armed forces,” New York Times reported.In order to be a force multiplier, the MQ-28A acts as an uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft that uses smart-human machine technology. The MQ-28A is designed to team-up with existing military aircrafts and provide operational relevance, persistence and survivability in highly contested environments, the Boeing’s official website stated.Since MQ-28A is based on open-source architecture, the Ghost Bat drones provide mission flexibility and rapid reconfiguration and customisation of onboard systems. The Boeing MQ-28 is 38 feet long and is capable of flying more than 2,000 nautical miles to support crewed and uncrewed assets.