By Micah Jonah, March 10, 2026
Australia will deploy a long range surveillance aircraft, send air missiles to the United Arab Emirates to help strengthen regional defence amid escalating tensions linked to Iran’s ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Royal Australian Air Force will dispatch an E7A Wedgetail reconnaissance aircraft along with support personnel to help protect and secure airspace above the Gulf for the next four weeks. The aircraft will assist regional partners in monitoring threats and supporting collective defence efforts.
Albanese said Australia would also provide advanced medium range air to air missiles to the UAE following discussions with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The move comes as Iran’s retaliatory attacks continue to target several countries across the region.
The Australian government said the deployment was partly driven by the presence of about 115,000 Australian citizens living in the Middle East, including around 24,000 in the UAE. Albanese emphasized that the military support is defensive in nature and does not involve sending Australian troops to fight in Iran.
“We are not taking offensive action against Iran and we are not deploying Australian forces on the ground in Iran,” Albanese said during a press conference in Canberra.
Authorities said approximately 2600 Australians have already left the Middle East since tensions escalated, although many citizens remain in the region and evacuation efforts continue.
The announcement drew criticism from the opposition Greens party, which warned that the move could draw Australia deeper into a prolonged conflict. Government officials, however, maintain the deployment is limited to protecting regional airspace and assisting allied defence operations.
