The Australian warfare on the radar of under-attack Gulf nations

A world-leading Australian surveillance plane could soon be deployed to the Middle East as a cagey Albanese Government considers requests for help from Gulf nations under attack from deadly Iranian strikes.

Sources have told The Nightly that preparations have begun to possibly dispatch a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7A Wedgetail to the conflict zone, just months after the same aircraft was used to help Ukraine detect Russian attacks.

Cabinet’s National Security Committee again met on Monday to discuss options for further involvement in the US-led war against Iran, after Foreign Minister Penny Wong stressed Australia could send assets, but only for defensive and not offensive purposes.

“We will be able to provide details on that in due course. But I will be very clear, as Minister Wong has indicated, we have received those requests and those requests are being considered,” Attorney General Michelle Rowland told reporters.

Ms Rowland said the Government would be transparent with the public about what the request involves “when we are in a position to do so”.

Asked if Australia had received any requests for military help from Israel or the United States, Ms Rowland said t she wasn’t in a position to answer that “at this stage”.

“But as I said, we have received requests and we are giving those due consideration,” she added.

Ms Rowland and other members of the Albanese Government are still also declining to reveal which nation has requested help, or specifically which capabilities could be deployed, but say options are currently being “assessed”.

Retired Australian Army Major General, Fergus McLachlan, described the E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system as a “world class capability”, and believes it is “the most suitable contribution that we could make.”

“What the wedgetail can do is detect with great accuracy but perhaps more importantly it can pass that target data to the interceptors and the interceptors at the moment are often US anti-missile systems.”

“The complicating factor for the government of course is once you’re up there you’ll be aware of all the offensive flights, the US and Israeli military flights that will be heading into Iran as well as the defensive stuff - the missiles and drones coming out”.

“I think the Government will be spending time making sure that the role of the AEW&C is de-conflicted from that offensive activity.”

General McLachlan points out that Australia does not yet have what’s known as an integrated air and missile defence (IMAD) system, such as the US produced Patriot or THADD.

“We are introducing a low-level air defence system called NASAM (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) - but it is still not fully operationally capable.”

Military experts believe Australia could potentially also deploy some of its advanced F-35 fighter aircraft to help defend Gulf states from drone and cruise missile attacks, or even a C-17 plane that could be used to transport and replenish missile stocks.

Possible maritime support options for the Middle East are also limited, with Australia’s aging Anzac-class frigates only equipped for short range air defence, while the Nightly understands just one of Navy’s newer Air Warfare Destroyers is currently deployable.

The Defence Department has been contacted for comment on the availability of the Hobart-class AWDs, and to confirm if preparations have begun for a possible deployment of the RAAF’s E-7A Wedgetail, but it has not yet responded.