In response to an urgent request for assistance from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is facing sustained bombardment from Iranian drones, the Australian government has authorised the deployment of one of its most sophisticated military assets—the E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft—along with a supply of advanced air-to-air missiles. This move not only signals Canberra’s commitment to supporting its Gulf partners but also places key Australian capabilities directly into the crucible of a modern, high-intensity conflict.
The ‘Wedge’: An Aerial Command Post
The E-7A Wedgetail is scheduled to depart its base at Williamtown, north of Newcastle, for the Persian Gulf. It will be accompanied by a contingent of approximately 85 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel responsible for its operation and support. This deployment builds on recent, relevant experience; in mid-2025, a Wedgetail was sent to Poland, where over three months it flew more than 45 missions, providing critical surveillance and intelligence to help Ukraine counter Russian drone and ballistic missile strikes.
The aircraft’s primary strength lies in its powerful radar. Mounted on a Boeing 737-700 airframe, the radar is capable of covering an area of up to 4 million square kilometres, according to the Department of Defence—exceeding the combined size of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This capability effectively makes the Wedgetail a high-altitude command post, capable of detecting incoming threats, coordinating defences, and providing a comprehensive picture of the battle space.
Replenishing Missiles for a ‘Saturation’ Threat
While the deployment of the surveillance aircraft was anticipated by some defence analysts, the commitment of air-to-air missiles was a significant addition. The missiles are understood to be intended to help replenish the stocks of Gulf nations, which are being heavily taxed by the need to intercept waves of Iranian attacks.
Analysts note that the sheer volume of attacks, often involving swarms of inexpensive “Shahed” drones, presents a unique challenge. These “saturation” attacks are designed to overwhelm defences, forcing the use of expensive, complex guided missiles to destroy cheap, simple targets. Dr. Jennifer Parker from the University of Western Australia’s Defence and Security Institute noted the contribution would be welcome, as a key challenge for Gulf states is not only detection but the ability to sustain a high rate of interception.
The missiles being sent to the UAE are expected to come from Australia’s existing operational stocks. This assistance comes as the ADF itself is investing heavily in bolstering its own capabilities, having announced over $2 billion in mid-2025 for new air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles, partly in response to the evolving drone threat.
Lessons for Future Conflicts
The conflict in the Gulf offers critical lessons for Australia’s own defence planning, particularly regarding the threat of massed drone attacks. The scale of the challenge has been such that even the US has sought guidance from Ukraine on countering these tactics.
Dr. Parker suggested that Australia should look for ways to gain further experience, potentially through the deployment of fighter aircraft to the region for defensive purposes, which would provide invaluable, real-world training for ADF personnel in a rapidly changing battlespace.
The federal government is already planning to spend over $1.3 billion in the coming decade through “Project Land 156” to enhance its counter-drone defences. Dr. Parker emphasised that funding for integrated air and missile defence—the ability to detect and destroy drones—must remain a top priority in the upcoming May budget to address critical gaps in the ADF’s capability to protect Australia in a future conflict.
