Ghost Bat military drone moves to production with $1bn federal investment

The federal government has reportedly committed $1bn to move Boeing’s Ghost Bat program into full production, with the units to be assembled at a new plant near Toowoomba.

The development of a landmark military aircraft that will be assembled just outside Toowoomba will reach a new milestone with a $1bn investment from the federal government.

Multiple outlets, including News Corp, have revealed Boeing’s long-awaited MQ-28A Ghost Bat program will move from prototype to production with the fresh contracts from the Albanese government.

The unmanned units are expected to become a “fully-operational war-fighting asset” within the Royal Australian Air Force.

Under the deal, the government will purchase six initial Ghost Bats from Boeing, all of which will be assembled by local workers at an upcoming plant currently under construction near Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport.

An MQ-28A Ghost Bat at Woomera, South Australia, 5th September, 2025. Picture: Department of Defence

The program, which was originally known as Loyal Wingman when introduced in 2019, was designed to develop “collaborative combat aircraft” that could assist pilots on missions and in battles.

The expected announcement comes a day after the Ghost Bat successfully conducted missile tests on aerial targets during exercises on Tuesday.

It is expected the aircraft will measure nearly 12m in length and have a range of advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to carry out missions normally done by humans.

Boeing was contacted for comment.

Toowoomba has been part of Boeing’s plans for Loyal Wingman since 2021, when the company made a major announcement with the Wagner family at the airport.

Construction began in October on the assembly plant, which will be the anchor tenant in Wagner Corporation’s new $550m defence and aerospace precinct.

Construction begins on the Boeing production facility – to support the manufacture of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone (also known as Loyal Wingman) – at Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct, Wellcamp Airport, Monday, September 29, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Hutchinson Builders is the lead contractor, with the project expected to be completed late next year.

“The MQ-28 Production Facility is indicative of Boeing’s global focus, and continued commitment to fostering a robust Australian aerospace industry,” Boeing’s MQ-28 global program director Glen Ferguson said in October.

“Pending orders, we anticipate it will deliver over 100 jobs during the next decade.

“We have already started building our new workforce at Wellcamp with 12 employees working from the airport office and growing.”