The Australian government recently announced that it will dispatch an E-7A “Wedgetail” airborne early warning aircraft and 100 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to Europe in August to support NATO’s efforts in curbing Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles stated during the NATO leader’s summit on Wednesday (June 25) that this deployment is in response to requests from NATO and Poland, as part of “Operation Kudu.” The aim is to ensure the smooth flow of international humanitarian and military aid into Ukraine.
This operation aligns with the NATO and UK-led “Operation Interflex,” focusing on training, intelligence, and logistical support without engaging in frontline combat. The deployment does not include Ukrainian territory but aims to ensure the safety and efficiency of aid operations.
The E-7A “Wedgetail” airborne early warning aircraft deployed this time is developed by Boeing based on the 737-700NG model, equipped with the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, capable of tracking dozens of airborne, ground, and maritime targets simultaneously with a detection range exceeding 600 kilometers. The Australian Air Force currently has a fleet of 6 of these twin-engine airborne early warning aircraft.
According to official statements, this deployment is expected to conclude by November, following Australia’s precedent of sending similar aircraft and troops to Germany in 2023 to support a six-month NATO operation.
The Ministry of Defence indicated that this deployment will help monitor potential Russian threats outside Ukraine. Marles emphasized that this is a concrete demonstration of Australia’s commitment to global peace and security.
Furthermore, during the summit, Australia signed a cooperation agreement with the NATO Support and Procurement Organisation (NSPO) to deepen collaboration in equipment procurement, logistical support, system integration, opening doors for Australian defence industry in the NATO supply chain, creating new opportunities.
Although Australia is not a NATO member, it remains an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region along with Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.
Regarding the support for Ukraine, Australia also announced a new round of sanctions against Russia, freezing assets and imposing travel bans on 37 individuals and 7 entities. The sanctions target sectors such as defence, energy, transportation, and finance, including institutions assisting the dissemination of false information on behalf of Russia.
Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Australia has implemented over 1500 sanctions against Russia. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that these measures demonstrate Australia’s unwavering support for Ukraine and commitment to promoting a comprehensive, just, and enduring peace.