Australia is deploying an E-7A Wedgetail reconnaissance aircraft, 85 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, and Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to the Gulf region at the request of United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The mission supports collective self-defense against escalating Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting 12 countries, including the UAE, which has intercepted over 1,500 such threats.
Defence Minister Richard Marles stated the E-7A Wedgetail will provide long-range airspace surveillance, similar to its prior deployment aiding Ukraine. The initial deployment lasts four weeks, with ADF personnel operating under Australian command and focused solely on defensive operations. Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized, “We are not taking offensive action against Iran. We’re not providing boots on the ground to go into Iran. What we are providing is a capability that helps the Gulf countries defend themselves against the attacks Iran is engaging in.”
The move protects approximately 115,000 Australians in the Middle East, including 24,000 in the UAE. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the assistance follows direct requests from Gulf states amid unprovoked Iranian strikes. Wong noted prior Iranian aggression, including an attack on Australian soil that prompted the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador last year. National terrorism threat level remains at “probable.” Security experts highlight potential risks of mission creep or heightened domestic threats, though the government stresses the defensive scope and priority on citizen safety. Over 2,600 Australians have returned home via consular support teams.