Australia’s ‘Eyes in the Sky’ Spy Plane Completes Daring 45-Mission Stint in Ukraine, Receives Glowing Praise from NATO Chief
- Australian military surveillance plane E-7A Wedgetail deployed 45 times to aid Ukraine in three months
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte hails Australia’s contribution, saying it’s “really crucial” in the fight against Russia
- The RAAF Wedgetail and its crew will now be replaced by a similar aircraft and crew from Türkiye, with Australia’s future involvement in the mission uncertain
In a daring display of military prowess, Australia’s most advanced spy plane, the E-7A Wedgetail, has completed an unprecedented 45-mission stint in Ukraine, providing critical surveillance and early warning to NATO forces. The deployment, which lasted three months, has been hailed as a resounding success by NATO officials, with Secretary General Mark Rutte singling out Australia’s contribution as “really crucial” in the fight against Russia.
As part of NATO’s efforts to monitor Russian activity, the Wedgetail aircraft and its crew were tasked with conducting operational missions in support of Ukraine. The plane’s advanced reconnaissance capabilities, including a radar with a 400-kilometre range, allowed it to deliver valuable intelligence to NATO from afar, making it an invaluable asset in the conflict.
According to a senior NATO official, the Wedgetail crew responded to potential threats on multiple occasions, including when Russian MiG jets violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes on 19 September. The plane was also on patrol on the night of September 28, when Ukraine suffered some of the heaviest drone and ballistic missile attacks since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Speaking from NATO headquarters, Secretary General Rutte praised Australia’s contribution, saying, “This very practical cooperation is really crucial and I highly value that relationship with your proud nation.” He added that working closely with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea was crucial in the face of growing threats from Russia and China.
For the 90-strong Australian crew, the deployment has been a steep learning curve, with many rotations through shifts over the three-month period. Wing Commander Sam Thorpe said the experience was “invaluable” because the crew was working in an environment “where there’s an actual threat”.
The multinational operation has also highlighted the importance of cooperation between NATO allies, with the Wedgetail aircraft operating seamlessly within the NATO command structure and in Polish air space. However, the ongoing suffering on the ground in Ukraine has weighed heavily on the team, with Wing Commander Thorpe admitting, “It does weigh heavily on us.”
As the RAAF Wedgetail and its crew prepare to return to Australia, they will be replaced by a similar aircraft and crew from Türkiye. The future of Australia’s involvement in the mission remains uncertain, with Ambassador to NATO Angus Campbell saying the government would need to “balance” any future requests for the plane to return with other deployments in the Indo-Pacific.
Australia has been the largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, providing $1.5 billion in military and humanitarian aid. The country’s commitment to supporting Ukraine has been unwavering, with the Wedgetail deployment marking a significant milestone in the country’s contribution to the conflict.