Australia Continues Support To Ukraine With New Aid Package
A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7A Wedgetail has been dispatched to Germany as part of Australia’s on-going to support to Ukraine. The Boeing-built AEW&C aircraft will be tasked with monitoring a gateway in aid of humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine. The aircraft which landed at Ramstein Air Base will start a six month deployment under Operation Kudu. An operation which sees the training of Ukrainian personnel in the United Kingdom. Over 100 Australian personnel have been deployed to Germany with the aircraft.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the deployment, after announcing his commitment to the country during his visit to a NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023:
“I’m proud to confirm the E-7A Wedgetail has arrived in Germany to commence its important mission. Australia is honoured to provide this aircraft to help protect the vital lifeline of humanitarian aid and military assistance entering Ukraine.|
As well as the Wedgetail and personnel in Germany, Australia has also committed a further AU$20 million in aid to Ukraine with a package including de-mining equipment, X-ray machines, counter-drone systems and a 3D metal printer. Which are all Australian-produced items. The Australian Minister for the Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, spoke about the Australians defence industry’s contributions to Ukraine:
“3D metal printers can be used to print spare parts, while de-mining and portable x-ray equipment can provide life-saving assistance for Ukrainian personnel on the battlefield.”
The new aid package brings the total value of Australian aid up to Ukraine to around AU$ 910 million. The country has sent Bushmaster armoured vehicles, heavy artillery and ammunition to the region after Russia’s invasion in February 2022. As well as making contributions to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.