Title: Royal Australian Air Force Deploys E-7A Wedgetail Aircraft to Germany to Support Ukraine
Subtitle: Australian early warning capability aims to protect vital international support to Ukraine
Date: [Current Date]
In a significant move to aid Ukraine, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has announced the deployment of its E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft to Germany later this year. This marks the first operational deployment of an Australian Wedgetail to Europe, and it will play a crucial role in monitoring military and humanitarian supplies entering Ukraine.
The forthcoming E-7A deployment was announced by Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, who expressed the country’s commitment to safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s assault on the rules-based order. Marles stated that the deployment will strengthen early warning capabilities, ensuring that vital international assistance flowing to Ukraine is protected.
Scheduled to begin in October for a duration of approximately six months, the operation will involve up to 100 crew and support personnel. However, it is important to note that the Australian Defense Force (ADF) personnel and assets will not physically enter Ukraine during this deployment, and the E-7A will operate outside of Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian airspace.
Manufactured by Boeing and based on the 737-700 Next Generation airliner airframe, the E-7A Wedgetail is equipped with Northrop Grumman’s Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor, offering comprehensive coverage of airborne and maritime threats. The aircraft also possesses advanced communication and data-sharing capabilities to collaborate with other friendly assets across different domains.
The specific focus of the Australian E-7A mission on safeguarding military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine indicates the seriousness with which these threats are being taken. While Russia’s ability to interdict aid within Ukraine remains limited, the advanced early warning capabilities of the E-7A make it an ideal asset to detect low-flying long-range cruise missiles and drones used by Russia to strike deep into western Ukraine.
The deployment of the Australian Wedgetail to Germany also presents an opportunity for NATO to evaluate the potential replacement for its aging E-3 Sentry aircraft. The E-7A, alongside Saab’s GlobalEye, is being considered as a successor to NATO’s fleet of E-3s, which are set to retire in 2035. Active operations involving the Wedgetail in Germany will allow NATO officials to assess its performance and refine their future airborne early warning and control requirements.
The deployment signifies both Australia’s unwavering support for Ukraine and the international community’s commitment to upholding Ukraine’s independence. By extensively monitoring the flow of military and humanitarian assistance, the Wedgetail aircraft will play a crucial role in ensuring the uninterrupted support to Ukraine during these challenging times.