Map reveals Australia defence presence in Middle East as Iran war rages
Defense personnel, military aircraft and missiles are being deployed to the Middle East as Australia’s involvement in the US-Israeli war against Iran deepens.
The Australian Defense Force will send an E7A Wedgetail spy plane, defense personnel and Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to the Gulf at the written request of United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed, Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday.
It comes after Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed last week that two ADF aircraft had been deployed to the region as authorities sought to help repatriate around 115,000 Australians stranded in the Middle East, many of whom were trying to transit through the Emirates.
On Tuesday, Ms Wong said some 24,000 Australians were in the UAE at the start of the conflict, while about 1,500 rockets and drones had been shot down in airspace or en route, including attacks on Dubai airport and civilian infrastructure.
No boots on the ground
Addressing Tuesday’s announcement, she continued: “We do believe that it is the right thing to provide defensive military assistance to Gulf countries for the purposes of ensuring that rockets and drones can be intercepted. And that is what we have done”.
NED-14772-Australia’s contribution to the Persian War
Ms Wong denied that the entities would be involved in any offensive activity.
“Australian Defense Force assets operate in accordance with Australian law, Australian policy and Australian directives,” he told ABC Radio Sydney.
Although Mr Albanese and leading ministers have been adamant that Australia will not send troops to Iran in the event of a US land invasion, Australia’s involvement in the war has gradually increased.
According to publicly available information, the ADF maintained a presence in seven missions in the Middle East at the start of the war.
These forces included missions to support the ceasefire in Syria and protect sea lanes from attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militias.
Other personnel were also deployed to Bahrain and Sinai in Egypt.
Last week, it was confirmed that three ADF personnel were on board a US submarine that sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, killing at least 87 people.
NED-14772-ADF presence in the Middle East
But Mr Albanese denied that staff had “participated in any acts of aggression against Iran”.
A parliamentary hearing in October was told that “more than 50” ADF personnel were currently serving on US fast attack submarines.
Authorities had previously tried to allay fears following Iran’s attack on an air base hosting Australian soldiers.
Al Minhad Air Base is located approximately 25 km south of Dubai.
The facility is operated by the UAE air force and is the headquarters of Australian Joint Task Force 633.
He took part in operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq and support forces in Afghanistan.
Across the region, Australia and US allies have also steadily increased their participation.
A number of warships from France and other European allies are expected to head to Cyprus following an attack on a British base from Lebanon.
Closer to home, New Zealand has also deployed two NZDF C-130J Hercules for possible repatriation efforts.
