ADF invests in Switchblade 300 ‘killer drones’

The Australian Defence Force will soon be armed with Switchblade 300 drones in a game changer for our troops. Here’s what we know.

The Australian Defence Force will be armed with Switchblade 300 “killer drones” this year in what will be a game changer for our troops on any future frontline.

Australia’s military has long been criticised for having spent years testing various expendable loitering munition drone technologies but failing to make acquisition decisions.

But the successful use of the US-made Switchblade in the Ukraine War to fend off Russian invaders and a stark warning Australia’s strategic environment had deteriorated further, prompted the move now.

Defence would not comment on the cost or how many of the drones would be acquired but confirmed they would go into service by November.

The revelation sends a signal to adversaries of a new lethal capability, in line with a push by the federal government to promote its strategy of defence through deterrence.

The portable lightweight precision firepower is designed for platoon-sized units and would most likely be carried by the ADF’s Special Forces.

The increased lethality would be welcomed by troops and goes beyond the surveillance and reconnaissance drones they are currently equipped with.

A US Marine launches a Switchblade drone during an exercise in California in September 2020. Picture: US Marine Corps/Cpl. Jennessa Davey

In the US, the Switchblade is carried as standard kit by the US Army which used them during the Afghanistan conflict. Hundreds have been sent to the Ukraine Armed Forces in the past two years.

They are launched from a vertical tube like a miniature rocket before the wings snap out and it is then guided with a remote and a screen, can fly up to 10km and hover over a target before it kamikazes.

The Switchblade drone. Picture: Supplied

Last week the US State Department confirmed it had also approved the loitering munition system drone to be sold to Taiwan in a contract believed to be worth $90 million. The British Army also already uses the Switchblade.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy would not comment specifically on the munition with a formal announcement expected Monday.

“With autonomous weapon systems increasingly prevalent, the Defence Strategic Review made clear that new technology and asymmetric advantage are important priorities. That’s why the Government is taking action to enhance the ADF’s use of drones,” he said.

AeroVironment unveiled a new version of its Switchblade suicide drone featuring significant performance and capability improvements in 2023. Picture: Supplied

“Any suggestion that we are not investing in drones is factually incorrect. The numbers speak for themselves. The Albanese Government, in fact, is investing more than $10 billion on drones, including at least $4.3 billion on uncrewed aerial systems.”

Defence is also trialling low-cost, expendable systems that can be produced at scale in addition to highly advanced, extremely capable systems.

Defence currently operates around 760 uncrewed aerial systems. This includes the Anduril’s Altius-600 which Taiwan is also seeking to acquire as it anticipates a future conflict with China.

Originally published as ADF invests in Switchblade 300 ‘killer drones’