Australia will deploy an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to the Middle East to help “protect and defend” Australians and other civilians in the region.
Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles will also be supplied to the United Arab Emirates in response to a request from that country.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Iran’s reprisal attacks were continuing to escalate and were already at a scale and depth not seen before.
“Twelve countries in the region are continuing to be targeted,” Mr Albanese said.
“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) alone has been forced to shoot down over 1500 rockets and drones. This growing wave of dangerous and destabilising attacks from Iran puts civilian lives at risk, including Australian lives.”
Mr Albanese said the E-7A Wedgetail was previously deployed to Europe as part of Australia’s assistance to Ukraine.
“As it did there, the E-7A Wedgetail will provide long range reconnaissance capability which will help secure the airspace above the Gulf,” he said.
“The E-7A Wedgetail and supporting Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will be deployed for an initial four weeks in support of the collective self-defence of Gulf nations.”
Mr Albanese said Australia was not taking offensive action against Iran and Australian troops would not be deployed on the ground in Iran.
“The first priority of the Albanese Government is, and always will be, to keep Australians safe,” he said.
“There are around 115,000 Australians in the Middle East – around 24,000 in the UAE.”
The Government was continuing to work on contingencies to keep Australians safe and to help travellers leave the Middle East.
“We have already sent DFAT personnel to the region as part of Crisis Response Teams. They are on the ground providing consular support.” Mr Albanese said.
“More than 2600 Australians have now returned home but significant challenges remain and further work is underway to support those still seeking to leave.
“Australia supported action aimed at preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and preventing Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security.
“Our position remains that we do not want to see the conflict continue to escalate.”
The Government will notify the United Nations Security Council of relevant actions taken under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
