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Australia has announced it will retask a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft to support freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles confirmed intentions for the deployment on 13 May. The deployment alongside allies under the multinational freedom of navigation operations follows a recent meeting of defence ministers from more than 40 countries.
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“Australia stands ready to support an independent and strictly defensive multinational military mission, led by the United Kingdom and France, once it is established,” Deputy Prime Minister Marles said.
“Our intention is to contribute Australia’s world-leading E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to this defensive effort.
“While this platform is already doing work in the region, providing this capability would make a valuable contribution to the multinational mission and efforts to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The multinational military mission is designed to complement ongoing diplomatic engagement and de-escalation efforts while demonstrating a tangible commitment to the security of international trade.
“We want to see this conflict end, the Strait of Hormuz open and freedom of navigation resume. The longer this conflict goes on the more significant the impact on Australia will be. Our government is doing all we can to shield Australians from the impacts.
“We will continue to consult and work with partners to support these efforts.”
The United Kingdom has announced it will send a Daring Class air defence destroyer, HMS Dragon, to join freedom of navigation operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Portsmouth-based Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer will be joined by autonomous mine hunting equipment, counter-drone systems and Typhoon fighter jets to conduct air patrols for the future multinational defensive mission.
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