Australia deploys RAAF aircraft and missiles to Gulf

The Australian Government announced a strategic military deployment to the Middle East, confirming that a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7A Wedgetail early warning aircraft will be dispatched to bolster the security of Gulf nations.

Accompanied by approximately 85 Australian Defence Force personnel, the sophisticated surveillance platform is tasked with providing critical long-range reconnaissance and command-and-control capabilities to secure regional airspace.

The commitment includes the provision of medium-range air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates, following a formal request from the UAE government to assist in countering unprovoked aerial threats.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasised that the primary objective of the mission is the protection of Australian citizens abroad.

With an estimated 115,000 Australians currently residing in the Middle East—including 24,000 in the UAE—the government maintains that supporting the defensive integrity of partner nations is a direct investment in the safety of its own people.

Both the Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles have categorised the deployment as strictly defensive.

The government has ruled out the presence of "boots on the ground" and confirmed that Australian forces will not be utilised for offensive operations against Iran.

As regional tensions persist, Canberra continues to develop contingency plans and logistics to assist Australian travellers wishing to depart the area.