Australia to Buy 6 US Triton Drones for $5.1 Billion

In this handout released by the U.S. Navy, An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) May 14, 2013 in the Atlantic Ocean. US Navy via Getty Images

MELBOURNE—Australia will buy six US Triton remotely piloted aircraft to beef up its maritime patrols, with the initial investment of A$1.4 billion for the first drone, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Tuesday, June 26.

The government said the Triton drones, made by Northrop Grumman Corp, would be used alongside P-8A Poseidon aircraft for long range operations and intelligence gathering, and would improve anti-submarine warfare and marine strike capability.