Australia will grant a request from the United Arab Emirates to deploy military assets, including medium range air-to-air missiles, to the Middle East, Anthony Albanese says.
An E7A Wedge Tail and the ADF personnel needed for the air frame will be deployed to the Gulf on Tuesday, he said.
“In responding to requests following a conversation that I had with the President (of the UAE), and other requests, Australia will deploy an E7A Wedge Tail to the Gulf to help protect and defend Australians and other civilians,” he said.
“The Wedge Tail will provide long-range reconnaissance capability which will help to protect and secure the airspace above the Gulf.
The military asset will be deployed with Australian Defence Force personnel for an initial four weeks in support of the “collective self-defence of Gulf nations”.
Mr Albanese reiterated Australia was not taking “offensive action against Iran” and would not deploy Australian troops on the ground.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said 85 ADF personnel would be sent to support the E7A Wedge Tail on Tuesday which he said was a “normal” sized crew for the air frame.
“We have also received a request from the UAE to supply advanced medium-range air to air missiles, and we will be supplying a number of those to the UAE as well,” he said.
“These are defensive weapons, and I want to make that clear,” Mr Marles said.
“That is the basis upon which our personnel are being deployed and this equipment is being deployed.
“It is for the defence of the countries of the Gulf, in particular UAE, where there are significant numbers of Australians who reside.”
Mr Albanese was later asked how he would explain his decision for Australia to become involved in the Middle East conflict to the Australian people.
He said: “That are 24,000 Australians in the United Arab Emirates, that we have a close relationship with the UAE, that we’ve been asked for support for their defence in what is a country that is receiving an unprovoked attack that endangers their citizens but also endangers Australian citizens.”
More to come.
