Full Story Australia is sending weapons to the Gulf. Does that mean we are at war?
Mar 10, 2026
Josh Butler, political reporter and Chief of Staff at The Guardian, breaks down Australia's decision to send aircraft, missiles and personnel to the Gulf. He outlines what was deployed and who asked for help. He discusses risks of contact with Iranian forces, debates over defensive versus offensive labels, legal implications of becoming party to a conflict, and the political fallout and mission creep worries.
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Australia Sends Wedgetail And Personnel To Gulf
- Australia is deploying an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance plane and about 85 ADF personnel to the Gulf to help secure airspace.
- The aircraft was redeployed from Europe for an initial four-week mission and will operate in a command centre and on the plane itself.
Missiles And Collective Self Defence Framing
- Australia is also supplying AMRAAM missiles to the UAE alongside personnel and the Wedgetail.
- The government framed deployments as supporting collective self-defence and protecting roughly 24,000 Australians in the UAE and 115,000 in the Middle East.
UAE Requested Assistance In Writing
- The UAE formally requested assistance in writing and leaders discussed it by phone before Australia committed.
- Josh Butler said the missiles were characterised as coming in response to that written UAE request.