Australia Sends Surveillance Aircraft and Missiles to UAE Amid Iran War

About 85 ADF personnel will accompany the aircraft after a request from the UAE for defensive support.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Minister for Climate Change Chris Bowen and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on March 10, 2026. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Australia will deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the Middle East after its trade partner, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), requested assistance.

The move is aimed at helping the Middle Eastern nation protect airspace and civilians in the wake of retaliatory attacks from Iran that have hit a swathe of neighbouring Gulf nations.