Ashton
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Australia is capable of assisting its allies, but there are some limitations
The Naval Chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond has confirmed that Australia is fully capable of dealing with Iranian drones. He added that the Australian forces are equipped with ‘some of the most advanced missiles, radars, and point defence systems’. It is only natural for the head of the Navy to describe his forces as being completely prepared. But what about the capabilities of the Australian Defence Forces? Australia's combat potential is considered to be great by some experts, albeit with certain limitations.
Key assets
Jennifer Parker, a professor at the University of Western Australia's Defence and Security Institute, said that F-35s could be deployed to protect against drones and missiles. Fergus McLachlan, a retired Australian Army Major General who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, believes that the E-7A Wedgetail aircraft can be a valuable asset in the war against Iran.
“It has done deployments into eastern Europe where, based out of Poland, it has the ability to observe drones and missiles that are heading towards Ukraine. I think that would be the most suitable contribution we could make,” he said.
Australia is clearly in possession of a state-of-the-art military system, but if they suffer losses, it will be critical for their national defence capabilities.
Limitations
Director of Strategic Analysis Australia, Michael Shoebridge, said that Australia's capabilities pale in comparison to those of the Gulf states, which have "far more impressive layered systems".
"The Australian military cupboard when it comes to air and missile defence and counter drone defence is pretty bare," he told SBS News.
The ADF capability
Australian Defence Forces is not fitted with modern, inexpensive anti-drone systems that are as diverse as those used by the Ukraine or Russia. So they need to use expensive missiles against cheap Iranian drones. In terms of experience, the Australian forces are not on the same level as the Iranian forces. Should Australia opt to participate in the US-led campaign, its contribution would be limited to observing drones and missiles.
The Naval Chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond has confirmed that Australia is fully capable of dealing with Iranian drones. He added that the Australian forces are equipped with ‘some of the most advanced missiles, radars, and point defence systems’. It is only natural for the head of the Navy to describe his forces as being completely prepared. But what about the capabilities of the Australian Defence Forces? Australia's combat potential is considered to be great by some experts, albeit with certain limitations.
Key assets
Jennifer Parker, a professor at the University of Western Australia's Defence and Security Institute, said that F-35s could be deployed to protect against drones and missiles. Fergus McLachlan, a retired Australian Army Major General who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, believes that the E-7A Wedgetail aircraft can be a valuable asset in the war against Iran.
“It has done deployments into eastern Europe where, based out of Poland, it has the ability to observe drones and missiles that are heading towards Ukraine. I think that would be the most suitable contribution we could make,” he said.
Australia is clearly in possession of a state-of-the-art military system, but if they suffer losses, it will be critical for their national defence capabilities.
Limitations
Director of Strategic Analysis Australia, Michael Shoebridge, said that Australia's capabilities pale in comparison to those of the Gulf states, which have "far more impressive layered systems".
"The Australian military cupboard when it comes to air and missile defence and counter drone defence is pretty bare," he told SBS News.
The ADF capability
Australian Defence Forces is not fitted with modern, inexpensive anti-drone systems that are as diverse as those used by the Ukraine or Russia. So they need to use expensive missiles against cheap Iranian drones. In terms of experience, the Australian forces are not on the same level as the Iranian forces. Should Australia opt to participate in the US-led campaign, its contribution would be limited to observing drones and missiles.
