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Australia will deploy a high-tech surveillance aircraft to support international efforts to keep shipping lanes open in the Strait of Hormuz, local media reported Wednesday.
Defense Minister Richard Marles announced the deployment of a Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft after a virtual meeting Tuesday with defense ministers from more than 40 countries, SBS News reported.
The multinational mission, led by the United Kingdom and France, is aimed at protecting navigation through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Marles said Australia’s role in the operation would remain strictly defensive.
He said the deployment was intended to support diplomatic efforts and reduce the risk of further escalation in the region.
The E-7A Wedgetail is considered one of the world’s most advanced airborne surveillance platforms.
The aircraft had previously been deployed to the region in March as part of efforts to protect the United Arab Emirates from Iranian strikes.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important waterway for international shipping, and the latest mission is focused on keeping navigation open amid regional tensions.
Australia’s deployment will support the broader international operation led by the U.K. and France.
The announcement came after defense ministers from more than 40 countries held a virtual meeting Tuesday to discuss the mission.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers warned that prolonged instability in the Middle East was already affecting global energy prices.
He said instability could also weigh on Australia’s economy through inflationary and growth pressures.
Regional tensions escalated after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28.
The strikes triggered retaliation from Tehran against Israel and U.S. allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire took effect April 8 through mediation by Pakistan. However, negotiations in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump later extended the truce without setting a deadline.
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