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A RAAF E-7A Wedgetail aircraft is on the way home following deployment to Poland to support NATO and Ukraine.
Under Operation Kudu, the early warning and control aircraft, deployed in July, had operated out of Poland to support NATO in providing surveillance, communications, and early warning alerts to protect supply delivery lines into Ukraine.
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Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, said that the Australian Defence Force has made an “outstanding contribution to supporting Ukraine”.
“During the deployment, the E-7A Wedgetail was able to conduct operations and deliver valuable intelligence while seamlessly integrating with our NATO partners,” he said.
“The ADF stands ready to continue our support to Ukraine, under Operation Kudu.”
Through the long-range reconnaissance capability of the aircraft, Australian forces were able to maintain oversight of Eastern Europe to deliver intelligence in support of NATO’s mission. The capabilities and presence of the aircraft further acted as a deterrent against strikes on logistics hubs.
“This very practical cooperation is really crucial and I highly value that relationship with your proud nation,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told an ABC journalist.
A NATO official confirmed to ABC that the Australian aircraft was utilised for surveillance when Russian jets violated Estonian airspace in September, and was on patrol when Ukraine suffered extreme ballistic and drone missile attacks.
“They did their mission really, really well, we were super excited and proud to have them in the mission,” a NATO official told the ABC.
Following this most recent support for Ukraine against “Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion”, the Australian government has pledged to continue providing assistance, adding to the over $1.5 billion invested since the start of the conflict in 2022.
Australia intends to continue providing training and tactical support, with the M1A1 Abrams tanks being delivered in the coming months, and military personnel continuing to train members of Ukraine’s Armed Forces in the UK.
