Radio National Breakfast What assistance could Australia provide the Gulf states?
Mar 8, 2026
David Littleproud, Nationals leader and shadow agriculture minister, speaks on security briefings, diesel and fertiliser risks. Fergus McLaughlin, retired Major General and defence adviser, explains Wedgetail airborne early warning, detection versus interception roles, protection needs and personnel trade-offs. Short, focused discussion on what Australia could practically offer the Gulf and the domestic impacts of involvement.
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Wedgetail Offers High-Value Surveillance Support
- Australia could contribute airborne early warning with its Wedgetail to the Gulf security effort.
- Fergus McLaughlin says Wedgetail detects drones and missiles and can pass targeting data to coalition interceptors, offering high-value situational awareness.
Provide Complementary Capabilities Not Whole Defence Networks
- Offer capabilities that complement host nations rather than full independent air defence systems.
- McLaughlin suggests Australia's best practical contribution is Wedgetail surveillance to augment existing Gulf interceptors, not supplying Patriot/THAAD.
Wedgetail Detects But Relies On Coalition Interceptors
- Wedgetail provides detection rather than interception and must feed target data to missile defences or fighter aircraft.
- McLaughlin notes Australia lacks integrated air and missile defence systems like Patriot or THAAD, so Wedgetail's value is data relay to US/coalition interceptors.