LONDON (Web Desk) - Australia has announced that it will join a British and French-led multinational defence mission aimed at protecting shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to foreign media reports, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles made the announcement after a meeting involving representatives from 40 countries.
He said Australia would contribute an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the mission, which is already deployed in the region to help protect the United Arab Emirates from Iranian drone attacks.
In a statement, Richard Marles said Australia is prepared to support a “free and purely defensive multinational military mission” led by Britain and France.
Earlier, Britain also announced plans to send autonomous mine-hunting systems, fighter jets, and naval warships as part of the multinational mission to secure maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
British Defence Secretary John Healey made the announcement during a virtual meeting with defence ministers from more than 40 countries, stating that the mission would be activated under appropriate circumstances.
John Healey said the multinational operation, together with allied partners, would be “defensive, sovereign, and effective.”
Britain has also allocated £115 million in new funding for the mission, which will be used to procure mine-hunting drones and counter-drone systems.
The UK will deploy advanced autonomous mine-hunting systems capable of detecting and neutralizing naval mines.
Meanwhile, the Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon has already departed for the Middle East, and its crew has reportedly received additional training to ensure the vessel is fully prepared for any potential operation.