CANBERRA (Realist English). Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Tuesday that Australia will deploy a long-range surveillance aircraft and supply air-to-air missiles to Gulf states as regional tensions escalate following Iranian attacks.
Speaking at a press conference, Albanese said the conflict in the Middle East has intensified over the past week, with Iranian strikes expanding across the region.
“The Iranian conflict in the Middle East began just over a week ago, and reprisal attacks are escalating to levels we have not seen before,” Albanese said, adding that multiple countries from Cyprus to the Gulf have been affected.
As part of the response, the Royal Australian Air Force will deploy an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early-warning and control aircraft along with support personnel for a four-week mission. The aircraft will help monitor and secure airspace over the Gulf region and contribute to collective defensive efforts.
Australia will also supply advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates, Albanese said, following a phone call with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The prime minister said the decision was partly driven by the large number of Australian citizens living in the region. Around 115,000 Australians currently reside in the Middle East, including approximately 24,000 in the UAE.
“Supporting Australians means helping our partners in the Gulf defend themselves against what we view as unprovoked attacks,” Albanese told reporters, emphasizing that the deployment is intended solely for defensive purposes.
He stressed that Australia would not participate in offensive operations against Iran and would not deploy ground forces to the country.
Since the escalation began, about 2,600 Australian citizens have left the Middle East, Albanese said, though authorities continue to face difficulties assisting others who remain in the region and wish to depart.
The decision drew immediate criticism from the opposition Greens party, which warned that Australia risks becoming involved in another prolonged US-led conflict.
Greens Senator Larissa Waters said the deployment could expose Australian personnel to danger and deepen Canberra’s involvement in the regional war.
Australia previously joined US-led military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq after 2001, losing more than 50 service members during those campaigns, according to the Australian War Memorial.
Government officials said the current deployment will involve approximately 85 Australian personnel supporting the surveillance aircraft and related operations.