Gulf deployment ‘exposes Australia’s vulnerability’ in the drone era

Australia would struggle to defend itself against the drone and missile attacks now defining modern warfare, according to military analysts who warn the government’s Middle East deployment highlights how thin the country’s defence capabilities are becoming.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday announced Australia would send air-to-air missile systems and an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail aircraft equipped with a powerful radar that could detect incoming threats to the Middle East, following a request from the United Arab Emirates.