Australia to send aircraft and air-to-air missiles to Gulf to ‘protect and defend’ civilians, PM says | US-Israel war on Iran
Australia will deploy a surveillance aircraft and support ADF personnel to the Middle East for at least a month, as well as provide air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates. Anthony Albanese said it was an effort to help protect Australians in the region under threat of Iranian attack.
However, the prime minister argued that Australia did not attack Iran or place troops on the ground in response to the US and Israeli attack.
Albanese said Australia’s aid came after a request from UAE president Mohamed bin Zayed. The Prime Minister said 24,000 Australians live in the UAE and described his government’s assistance as helping to protect people in Dubai after parts of it came under Iranian missile attack.
Albanese said the E7 wedge-tailed aircraft will help provide long-range reconnaissance capability that will help “secure airspace over the Gulf.”
“Weedtailand personnel supporting the Australian Defense Force will be deployed for the first four weeks to support the collective self-defense of the Gulf countries. Additionally, in response to a request, my government plans to provide advanced, medium-range air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
“My government has been clear that we are not taking offensive action against Iran, and we have been clear that we are not deploying Australian troops in Iran. We continue to work on contingencies to keep Australians safe and help travelers leave the Middle East.”
More details to follow
