RAAF E-7A Wedgetail to deploy to Europe for three months.
Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail from No.2 Squadron will deploy to Europe from August to support NATO operations.
Report & Images: Jaryd Stock
The Australian Government is deepening Australia’s cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and taking further action to support Ukraine against its war with Russia.
During the NATO Leaders’ Summit in The Hague, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, announced Australia will make a further contribution to NATO operations in support of Ukraine.
At the request of NATO and Poland, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7A Wedgetail aircraft from No.2 Squadron will deploy to Europe from RAAF Base Williamtown in August to help protect a vital international gateway for humanitarian and military assistance into Ukraine.
Under Operation Kudu, up to 100 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will deploy alongside the aircraft. The aircraft deployment is expected to conclude by November 2025.
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This deployment of ADF aircraft and personnel complements Australia’s overall support to Ukraine of more than $1.5 billion since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During the Summit, Australia also signed an agreement with the NATO Support and Procurement Organisation (NSPO). The NSPO Agreement strengthens Australia’s cooperation with NATO partners on capability acquisition, systems support and logistics.
Under the agreement, the Australian Defence Force will be able to gain access to collaborative procurement efforts with NATO partners.
The new partnership also unlocks wider opportunities for Australian defence industry to access new markets across NATO supply chains.
“Australia is proud of its longstanding operational partnership with NATO. stated Deputy Prime Minister Marles
“The deployment of an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft will again showcase our ability to operate from Europe, alongside NATO and partners, in support of Ukraine and international peace and security.
“Signing the NSPO Agreement opens the door to new partnerships for us to deliver capability and operational responsiveness for the Australian Defence Force.”
This is the latest deployment of the Wedgetail aircraft to Europe after its first deployment to Rammstein Air Base, Germany back in 2024 and underscores the success of the airframe and a testament to the personnel from No. 2 Squadron.
Back then Deputy Commander of United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, Lieutenant General John D. Lamontagne praised the squadron and the capabilities of the aircraft.
“The E-7A Wedgetail has significantly enhanced our situational awareness and bolstered interoperability with advanced command and control aircraft,” he said.
It is not clear at this stage where the Wedgetail will be deployed, but its expected that No.2 Squadron operations will support NATO Air Policing missions in Eastern Europe.
Jaryd Stock is based in Sydney Australia. He has been a die-hard aviation enthusiast from a young age when he was chauffeured around by his father to various airshows and airports around Australia. At his first Airshow he witnessed the awesomeness of a General Dynamics F-111C and immediately fell in love with aviation.
Jaryd picked up a camera at a young age and has never looked back. He now combines photography and writing to highlight “Downunder” aviation; especially U.S. DoD units. Jaryd uses Nikon cameras and lenses.