Anthony Albanese confirms extended deployment of E-7A Wedgetail surveillance plane in Middle East

Australia has committed to keep its E-7A Wedgetail surveillance plane in the Middle East a month after sending it to the region, Anthony Albanese has confirmed.

The Prime Minister signed off on the advanced aircraft’s continued deployment on Thursday morning after initially committing it for four weeks in a “purely defensive” capacity in response to requests from the United Arab Emirates.

It comes after a ceasefire deal was agreed to by US President Donald Trump earlier this week following the submission of an 10-point peace plan by Iran through Pakistan-led negotiations.

“The Wedgetail will be staying in the region for a period of time. That extension was something that, in fact, I signed this morning after that was agreed at the National Security Committee yesterday,” Mr Albanese said.

Defence Minister Richard Marles had told the media on the sidelines of ANZMIN talks last month that data collected by Australia’s plane would be available to the United States as they continued offensive action in the region.

However, a senior military source on Thursday claimed that defence officials would be triaging information collated by the aircraft to ensure it aligned with the defensive-only mission.

He also rebuked claims by members of the Coalition that Australia couldn’t send Navy assets to the Middle East to aid in the Strait of Hormuz if requested by international partners.

Liberal MP and former SAS soldier Andrew Hastie has, among others, claimed that Australia’s fleet would be like sitting ducks to Iranian drones because they didn’t have adequate defensive capabilities or readiness.

However, the ADF source said he was “very confident” Australia could if needed but stressed the importance of keeping a focus and presence in the Indo-Pacific to counter regional threats.

He also highlighted that a lower American capacity in the Pacific “does have consequences” and would take months to re-establish regardless of a ceasefire in the Middle East.

It comes as Mr Marles is expected to unveil the 2026 Defence Strategic Review at the National Press Club during an address next Thursday.

The review will adapt the Australia Defence Force to a changed global environment after the US-Israel-Iran war broke out on February 28, which has sparked an energy crisis worldwide.

A senior ADF source also flagged that the force was already reviewing whether it needed to scale back activities due to fuel supply concerns despite a “doubling” of the forces reserves since 2023.

It’s expected the review will draw from observations in the US-Israel-Iran war and other conflicts like the Russia invasion of Ukraine and disputes between India and Pakistan.

It will also focus on embracing technological advancements and unveil overhauled medical standards for recruitment, with a less strict criteria for people wanting to join the force.

ADF boss Admiral David Johnston told journalists in Canberra on Thursday, the 2026 strategy would build on its predecessor and be fit-for-purpose to the rapidly changing backdrop.

Admiral Johnston also said that Australia had been “successful” in its missile testing under the 2024 strategy and at building relationships with neighbouring nations in the region.

The defence chief also talked up Australia’s continued work and training with partners “both old and new” in the region.

“The signing of the historic Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security in February by Prime Minister Albanese and President Prabowo has elevated our bilateral defence relationship. And later this year, the ADF will participate in Exercise Keris Woomera, our largest bilateral exercise with Indonesia.

“The Air Force will also host Exercise Pitch Black in July, which we expect will see a large turnout of countries, their capabilities and their people.”