PM confirms Australia will send surveillance aircraft and missiles to the Middle East

“We are not protagonists, what we are doing is providing for the defence of the UAE and of Australian citizens,” he said.

“Helping Australians means also helping the UAE and other Gulf nations to defend themselves.”

Prime Minister Albanese continued on, saying that the deployment of the aircraft “will provide long-range reconnaissance capability, which will help to protect and secure the airspace above the Gulf”.

Eighty-five Australian Defence Force personnel will be sent to the region; however, no ground troops will be deployed.

“We have already sent DFAT personnel to the region as part of Crisis Response Teams, they are on the ground providing consular support.”

The E-7A Wedgetail is a control and early warning aircraft that is primarily used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

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It has an over 7,000-kilometre range to support its long-range surveillance radar capabilities.

“The E-7A Wedgetail and supporting Australian Defence Force personnel will be deployed for an initial four weeks in support of the collective self-defence of Gulf nations,” the Prime Minister added.

Last year, Australia deployed the same E-7A on 45 separate occasions to support Ukraine in defence against Russia.

In addition to the surveillance aircraft, Australia is set to provide Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles to the UAE.

Prime Minister Albanese has reiterated that Australia is “not taking offensive action against Iran”, and these measures are primarily in support of Australians who may be stuck in the region.

“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) alone has been forced to shoot down over 1,500 rockets and drones,” Prime Minister Albanese said.

“This growing wave of dangerous and destabilising attacks from Iran puts civilian lives at risk, including Australian lives.”