Australia will deploy military support to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid rising tensions in the Middle East and increasing threats from Iran.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing foreign media, that the decision aims to strengthen regional stability and protect international interests in the Persian Gulf.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced during a press conference that the Royal Australian Air Force will dispatch a surveillance aircraft and air-to-air missiles to the UAE to assist in the protection of the Persian Gulf airspace. The Prime Minister noted that the conflict involving Iran in the Middle East escalated just over a week ago, with retaliatory strikes carried out by Tehran continuing to increase. According to Albanese, attacks have persisted across 12 countries in the region, stretching from Cyprus to the Persian Gulf.
The Prime Minister added that, following a request from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Australia will send an E7A Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft, advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, and necessary support personnel. He emphasized that approximately 115,000 Australians reside in the Middle East, with 24,000 of them based in the UAE, a factor that played a significant role in the military assistance decision. Albanese underscored that the military support is purely defensive in nature, aimed at ensuring the safety of Australians and helping Gulf nations defend against unprovoked attacks.
The E7A Wedgetail is considered one of the world's most advanced airborne early warning and control platforms, capable of tracking air and sea targets simultaneously. This deployment reflects Australia's long-standing commitment to maritime security and stability in the Middle East, a region critical for global energy supplies and trade routes. The Persian Gulf remains a strategic focal point where international cooperation is frequently required to maintain the freedom of navigation and deter regional escalations.
