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Key Points
- The deployment will include an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail and medium-range air-to-air missiles.
- Anthony Albanese has stressed that Australia’s involvement is “purely defensive”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared that Australia will send an aircraft and missiles to support Gulf nations facing Iran’s retaliatory strikes.
During a press briefing on Tuesday morning, Albanese announced that the Australian government has agreed to a request from the United Arab Emirates. Consequently, an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail will be dispatched for an initial four-week mission to aid the “collective self-defense of Gulf nations.”
This aircraft will enhance the region’s security by offering long-range reconnaissance capabilities over the Gulf states. Alongside the Wedgetail, Australia will supply “advanced, medium-range air-to-air missiles.”
Albanese clarified that this marks a significant escalation in Australia’s involvement, emphasizing that the actions are strictly defensive.
“My government has consistently stated that we are not engaging in offensive operations against Iran, nor are we deploying Australian troops within Iranian territory,” Albanese affirmed.
He said the mission was in response to a “dangerous and destabilising” barrage of retaliatory missiles by Iran, following initial US-Israeli strikes, putting civilian lives, including Australians, at risk.
There are more than 20,000 Australians based in the UAE, with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade personnel deployed as part of crisis response teams to provide consular support on the ground.
“Our involvement is purely defensive, and it’s in defence of Australians who are in the region, as well as in defence of our friends in the United Arab Emirates, who are good friends of Australia and Australians,” he said.
“We have a free trade agreement with them that’s opened up the markets of the Middle East.”
Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed that the usual crew of 85 personnel will depart with the Wedgetail on Tuesday.
Marles said the high-tech airborne reconnaissance platform had been provided in other scenarios, like defending Ukraine, so the request for the aircraft was “not a surprise”.
The Wedgetail is expected to be operational in the region by the end of the week.
Albanese also revealed he had a “warm” discussion with United States President Donald Trump in the early hours of Tuesday morning, primarily about members of the Iranian women’s soccer team.
The call came ahead of the government offering the athletes humanitarian visas, which five of the women have accepted.
Australians who want to leave Middle East told to ‘do so now’
Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated calls for Australians who want to leave the region to take advantage of available flights, with attacks continuing to escalate.
Wong said the majority of Australians transiting through the region have made it back safely, with roughly 2,600 returning on commercial flights.
She confirmed that Qatar will operate a limited schedule of direct flights in the coming days after speaking to the Qatari prime minister overnight.
“There are many more Australians still in the Middle East, and we do understand these are difficult decisions for Australians and their families,” Wong said.
“But can I echo what the prime minister has said. We encourage those who do wish to leave, do so now.”
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