Australia Deploys Surveillance Aircraft to Gulf as Iran’s Regional Attacks Escalate
Australia has announced it will deploy a Boeing E‑7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the Gulf region to help protect civilians and support regional partners amid escalating tensions involving Iran.
The decision comes as Iran’s reprisal attacks continue to intensify across the Middle East, with officials reporting that at least 12 countries in the region have been targeted. In the United Arab Emirates alone, authorities say more than 1,500 rockets and drones have been intercepted.
The Australian Defence Force will deploy the aircraft along with supporting personnel for an initial four-week mission. The aircraft will provide long-range surveillance and reconnaissance to help secure airspace over the Gulf and assist defensive operations.
The move follows a request from regional partners and forms part of what the Australian Government describes as a defensive effort to protect civilians, including Australians living in the region.
Australia has also indicated it intends to provide Advanced Medium Range Air‑to‑Air Missile missiles to the UAE to support its air defence capability.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the deployment is not an offensive action against Iran and confirmed that Australian troops will not be deployed on the ground in Iran.
Around 115,000 Australians are currently in the Middle East, including about 24,000 in the UAE. The government said assisting Gulf nations to defend their airspace also helps protect Australian citizens and travellers in the region.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has already sent crisis response teams to the Middle East to assist Australians, with more than 2,600 people having returned home so far.
Australia has also reaffirmed its support for international efforts aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and avoid further escalation.
The government said it will notify the United Nations Security Council of its actions under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for collective self-defence.
Source: Government of Australia /PM/ Media
