· 94 comments · Save ·
News & Current Events Apr 9, 2026 at 10:05 AM

Australian spy plane operators in Middle East not sharing intel with US for offensive operations, defence boss says

Posted by RisingRusherff

Australian spy plane operators in Middle East not sharing intel with US for offensive operations, defence boss says
the Guardian
Australian spy plane operators in Middle East not sharing intel with US for offensive operations, defence boss says
Information on drones and other threats being shared but defence chief confirms crew taking ‘active steps’ to only contribute to defensive actions
🚩 Report this post

94 Comments

Sign in to comment — or just click the box below.
🔒 Your email is never shown publicly.
G00b3rb0y Apr 9, 2026 +44
Iirc we sent the plane to provide defensive support to GCC states so why on this world would we provide data to the United States when we aren’t their to be an attack dog
44
unfortunatebag Apr 9, 2026 +7
You're correct this was deployed to assist the UAE with defensive operations in March. They aren't even declining to share intel with the U.S. they just aren't contributing to offensive operations in Iran and never were. It's just another article about nothing with a couple of quotes from diplomats trying to score political points.
7
macross1984 Apr 9, 2026 +201
Oh, well. Thanks to Trump, US military has go handicapped when in the past, sharing intelligence was normal between allies.
201
Dubhs Apr 9, 2026 +75
I think it's mostly about this being an offensive war we don't want to take part in. The spy plane is apparently only helping defend the gcc. 
75
Nervous_Squirrel_ Apr 9, 2026 +17
This is a huge departure from previous Australian involvement with US wars. They went to Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq… US has lost one of their most stalwart allies. Also if Australia one day takes the US’s radar and space communication base away where else on that side of world would the US use? Losing Pine Gap would be awful for Nasa.
17
Dubhs Apr 9, 2026 +12
Honestly, I think you're overselling it a bit. We're just waiting for Trump to f*** off.  Edit - in fact, it's not really even Trump. It's the fact that the USA just started bombing for basically no real reason with no prep. We wouldn't have gone to Iraq either if bush had gone about it like that. We don't see ourselves as American puppets who just go into whatever war Americans suggest. 
12
TV-Tommy Apr 9, 2026 +2
You said "lost ONE OF their most stalwart allies" I'm growing more fingers & toes just to keep count!...... Trump's only buddies are Vlady Pupu, Viktor Orban, etc. Certainly not Canada, Mexico, Central/South America, Europe!
2
RoughVirtual1626 Apr 9, 2026 +23
This should be concerning for US citizens. Although the Australians would currently provide certain intel, if relations deteriorate the US is going to loss a main component of it's early warning system for ICBMs that is based in Aus. 
23
IntelligentComment Apr 9, 2026 +22
If the US loses Australia as an ally they are going to be in a unrecoverable mess. Aside from their wealthy population being quite pro-American relatively speaking compared to the rest of the world, the Aussies have caught alongside the US in every major conflict since ww1. China is knocking on the Australian door, only the Aussies loyalty to the usa road blocking that relationship. For those who don't know, Australia is part of the commonwealth along with Canada and England (and others). I have no doubt those 3 countries would stick solid above any current US government. It is sad to see the usa spend so long building up international relations suffer so much long term damage from the government spend all of it.
22
Optimal_Juggernaut37 Apr 9, 2026 +29
The UK, Canada, NZ and Australia have far more in common with each other than they do with the United States. The United States under a Republican administration has far more in common with Nazi Germany than those four countries. We also really don't like conservative and evangelical think tanks sticking their dicks in our culture.
29
Polar_Vortx Apr 9, 2026 +6
Rupert Murdoch?
6
Optimal_Juggernaut37 Apr 10, 2026 +1
Is that a question or a statement? You will need to be more concise, maybe use it in a sentence?
1
Polar_Vortx Apr 10, 2026 +1
If you don't like conservative and evangelical think tanks sticking their dicks in your culture, please explain the formation and continued existence of Rupert Murdoch's media empire, which includes Sky and Fox News, if memory serves.
1
Optimal_Juggernaut37 Apr 10, 2026 +2
There's a reason he moved to the United States and relinquished his Australian citizenship in 1985 champion, nobody f****** likes him here. Nobody in this country with the exception of the slimy sycophantic reptiles that work for him and the cult that tongue his drip and ask for more anyway. He moved to the United States and relinquished his Australian citizenship because he has more in common with GOP than your average Australian. His Dad Keith was a well known anti-Semite and a member of the Melbourne Eugenics society (So he was a f****** Nazi in other words)
2
Polar_Vortx Apr 10, 2026 +1
Fair enough.
1
badbubblegum Apr 9, 2026 -12
No chance, the us would never give up pine gap. They go to war with Australia before that happens.
-12
LexingtonLuthor_ Apr 9, 2026 +13
The US would lose Pine Gap no matter what if they attacked Australia. They wouldn't be able to stop us in time if we decided to take it over or destroy it.
13
Least-Sample9425 Apr 9, 2026 +3
What is Pine Gap?
3
Nervous_Squirrel_ Apr 9, 2026 +3
US base in Australia for communication with Nasa spacecraft and satellites. And military satellites. Since you need a base other side world to maintain constant communications. It’s essential for US force projection in Asia and middle east. Also be funny if half the time Nasa couldn’t communicate with their astronauts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Gap
3
Least-Sample9425 Apr 9, 2026 +3
Thank you!!!
3
Nervous_Squirrel_ Apr 9, 2026 +1
Your welcome
1
RoughVirtual1626 Apr 9, 2026 +3
While invading Iran, Cuba, Canada and Greenland? Australia could just demolish it if they wanted to. They would also easily get nuclear weapons from the UK once all NNP goes out the window as it seems to be. They part build the UKs nuclear submarine fleet deterrent after all and the UK is always backing Aus  or Can before the US 
3
Nervous_Squirrel_ Apr 9, 2026 +2
And are also UK’s uranium supplier already. And have largest known reserves of uranium to mine.
2
Nervous_Squirrel_ Apr 9, 2026 +6
The US couldn’t take Pine Gap by force and hold it judging by their fiasco in Iran. This war has shown their force projection to be a paper tiger. Also going to war with Australia means war with Canada. They would not be able to defend the border while at war across the pacific.
6
SourcreamPickles Apr 9, 2026 +2
US military received the paper tiger ability title clearly after 🟧 came into the picture. Can you imagine it being called that under Obama? US military has been severely mishandled and decapitated at the top since late January 2025.
2
Yokoko44 Apr 9, 2026 +1
Lmao wtf planet are you on where the strikes in Iran show the US to be a paper tiger? Centcom literally set up a FARP INSIDE Iran and they couldn’t do anything to stop it.
1
huzy12345 Apr 10, 2026 +1
Also means going to war with NZ and the UK
1
darkmatter343 Apr 9, 2026 +5
What happened to the 5 eyes
5
_yetifeet Apr 9, 2026 +36
It's four eyes and a squint now.
36
dorynz Apr 9, 2026 +6
Yay nz no longer classed as the lazy eye
6
DarthShiv Apr 9, 2026 +8
A few black eyes
8
CrunchingTackle3000 Apr 9, 2026 +2
Doesn’t shut down the five eyes. They are just restricting some data. Not that unprecedented.
2
Welshgirlie2 Apr 9, 2026 +1
No idea, but I think it's made AUKUS a bit more awkward...
1
BaconISgoodSOGOOD Apr 9, 2026 +2
It’s an Iran Any% No Glitch run.
2
ShadowPhynix Apr 9, 2026 +21
Well yeah it's not there to help the US in a war, it's there to help our allies in the region track the drones and missiles Iran is lobbing at them. This also isn't news - the government was at pains to assure us when it left that it wouldn't be there to support the war and wouldn't participate in offensive operations. If it did, the public would *not* be happy.
21
Hydronum Apr 9, 2026 +3
Hasn't stopped the people who refuse to read from claiming we are in deep with the offensive network.
3
TAJack1 Apr 9, 2026 +50
F*** you US, happy we’re standing our ground. We’re not going to be apart of this shit.
50
IntelligentComment Apr 9, 2026 -1
What shit? The war was won 3 times already. Or 4. I lost count now.
-1
aussiederpyderp Apr 9, 2026 +26
Good call IMO, if they told the USA, Trump would tell Putin.
26
MadMadeline101 Apr 9, 2026 +4
As an Aussie can we also close US bases here like Pine Gap?
4
hcornea Apr 9, 2026 +5
Is this from the country that told none of its key allies about its impending attack plans? Shafting your allies has consequences. America can not be trusted.
5
hanr86 Apr 9, 2026 +3
Damn we the baddies man. US be looking real evil rn
3
Icy-Scarcity Apr 9, 2026 +2
If you won a war so many times you don't need any help or intel.
2
Unlucky_Accountant71 Apr 9, 2026 +4
Bad headline. Read the actual article
4
lizz808 Apr 9, 2026 +2
Smart
2
Bum_Hunter Apr 9, 2026 +3
My question why is Australia actively flying active intelligence missions/operations.
3
Lord-Emu Apr 9, 2026 +50
Because the UAE requested our assistance to track the drones and missiles that Iran has been firing at them. Its also a good way to prove equipment capabilities and train operators.
50
Sieve-Boy Apr 9, 2026 +14
We have a free trade agreement with the UAE and generally a very good relationship with them.
14
Nervous_Squirrel_ Apr 9, 2026 +19
Because they have allies in the Persian gulf. And also where they get their oil from. It’s a national security issue to help your oil suppliers.
19
IntelligentComment Apr 9, 2026 +9
National security to support your allies. Someone tell the US govt that..
9
Nervous_Squirrel_ Apr 9, 2026 +2
Eh, they just think they can rule the world alone it seems. Their reckoning is coming to roost.
2
IntelArtiGen Apr 9, 2026 +2
I'm not sure that means anything from a military pov (I read the article).
2
Garshnooftibah Apr 9, 2026 +4
It absolutely does.
4
IntelArtiGen Apr 9, 2026 -2
How? I guess they can detect radars but I'm not sure Iran still has radars. And I'm also not sure they would hide it to the US if they found one, they can say they're defending US planes. Otherwise they can detect flying iranian planes and missiles but I'm sure they consider it's a "defensive operation". And I'm sure the US takes more risks with their spy planes so they probably can't contribute / help much anyway if they don't fly over Iran. So, how could they help for offensive operations in a credible way?
-2
Apoc_au Apr 9, 2026 +4
The plane does airborne early warning and control. It can provide command and control for friendly aircraft in the battlespace. It very much has a role in offensive operations controlling aircraft and detecting threats.
4
IntelArtiGen Apr 9, 2026 -2
> It very much has a role in offensive operations controlling aircraft and detecting threats. I agree but I'm sure they're detecting threats and I'm not sure there is a point in them "controlling aircrafts" when it's not their war. The most they can do here is what they're doing if they're not currently at war with Iran, which they obviously aren't.
-2
A_Confused_Moose Apr 9, 2026 -10
The US has better planes that are already integrated with their offensive forces. This is nothing more than political dunking on the US and has no actual effect on the conflict.
-10
larry_is_not_hot Apr 9, 2026 +9
the US does not have a better plane then the E7 they only have the e3 which is ancient. that's why they are buying the australian developed E7.
9
Derikari Apr 9, 2026 +1
If i remember right, they had a plan until hegseth killed it last year and congress is looking at reversing his order
1
itsmysecondday Apr 9, 2026 +9
They do not, The E-7's were meant to replace the US aging and much less capable E-3's. They pulled out of the deal in favor of space based alternatives and are now having to re-think that choice. Previously they had been borrowing the Australian ones for the role.
9
Hydronum Apr 9, 2026
Apt username. Nice work.
0
Nervous_Squirrel_ Apr 9, 2026
They are there to give information to the UAE an ally that hasn’t denigrated them recently.
0
Direlion Apr 9, 2026 +2
Anything given to the US means both Israel and Russia immediately have it so yeah, I’d never share anything with them either.
2
leisurechef Apr 10, 2026 +1
I call Bullshit
1
MycologistSharp4337 Apr 9, 2026 -6
Whatever that means. Weasel words are their specialty. One guaranteed way for it not to share information Is for it not to be there at all.
-6
Garshnooftibah Apr 9, 2026 +15
Yeah look, I kind of agree with the sentiment. I mean f*** the U.S. and all that evil warmongering bullshit. But… that means that what our plane is doing is tracking missiles - and helping other gulf states defend themselves by shooting them down.  And I am kind of ok with this.
15
MycologistSharp4337 Apr 9, 2026 -19
Does it? Is that what it means? Is that what the definition is? Or is it like affordable housing?
-19
Garshnooftibah Apr 9, 2026 +7
Well the role of awac planes is to fly really high with a powerful radar and thus be able to ‘see’ and track things flying around - out to a range of a couple of hundred kilometres. Invaluable for missiles defence. 
7
cekmysnek Apr 9, 2026 +10
Don't waste your time on idiots mate.
10
MycologistSharp4337 Apr 9, 2026 -15
And for targeting villages. During the previous wars they controlled the entire offensive air effort. I do not trust our government with their weasel words. I do not trust them at all. We have actively and passively assisted a gen cide. They are disgusting.
-15
Hydronum Apr 9, 2026 +1
Mate, pull your head out. You can dislike the Gov, but you gotta actually take stock of how things are, not just run on gut feels. Your feelings aren't an accurate reflection of the world.
1
postredditdisorder Apr 9, 2026 +2
Exactly. They can say whatever they want. We know it’s bullshit though.
2
UsuallyStoned247 Apr 9, 2026
Trump will sell anything he gets to Russia. Or just give it away to one of his Epstein-class owners. America is not an ally of the free world.
0
axloo7 Apr 9, 2026
Not realy a spy plane though is it?
0
al_swedgen01 Apr 9, 2026 -8
BS. Australia are and will always be lapdogs for the USA. There's no way the US weren't aware of or had access to that intel if they wanted it. The only "excusing" factor would be the chaotic and unplanned US.
-8
Agile_Resolution_822 Apr 9, 2026 -12
Surely the US needs Australia's help lol
-12
Nervous_Squirrel_ Apr 9, 2026 +13
Well if they lose cooperation of 5 eyes they lose a good chunk of their intel.
13
thunderlips_oz Apr 9, 2026 +9
Trump said the US doesn't need help from anyone. Then he has a rant about Australia doing nothing to help.
9
Araminal Apr 9, 2026 +5
The strength of the US lies in its projected hard and soft power by being stationed in so many countries, especially NATO member countries. Its intelligence is amplified by being fed intelligence data from all of those countries. There's a point to alliances.
5
IntelligentComment Apr 9, 2026 +2
The issue is deeper in that, this is a warning sign. The US is very low on allies. Starts a war with no comms to allied nations then begs for help, after blasting them for the last several years with threats and tarrifs. It's like the school bully who beats up their friends, pinches their lunch money all week gets stuck on the monkey bars. Figure it out on your own. Friends are turning their backs on you.
2
Nervous_Squirrel_ Apr 9, 2026 +1
Yeah and next time their threats won’t be taken as seriously. Because the world now knows that their old allies won’t back them up. That’s the huge change from this stupid Iran war.
1
huzy12345 Apr 10, 2026 +1
They absolutely do need Australian help to project power in the Pacific and South East Asia, satellite tracking and basically any intelligence on the other side of the world
1
pittaxx Apr 10, 2026 +1
If US doesn't need the help, why does Trump keep crying about no-one helping?
1
Tel_Janen Apr 9, 2026 -6
Well when china turns its guns on Australia the ozzies better.not beg the yanks for help
-6
ruledbyoligarchs Apr 9, 2026 +3
Your [yellow peril](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Peril) fantasies are just that. Our oligarchs rule us with division and distraction
3
Hydronum Apr 9, 2026 +4
Yes, we know that starting the war is the exact same as being attacked. Very well done champ.
4
Tel_Janen Apr 9, 2026 -5
The war was started when iran decided to enrich uranium
-5
Hydronum Apr 10, 2026 +2
Your idea that if a country enriches Uranium, we should war them means you should have war declared upon you. Good job champ.
2
the_jokes_on_u Apr 9, 2026 -8
This is dumb…FVEY allows us to see it regardless of if they share it or not lol.
-8
Ultra_Metal Apr 9, 2026 -16
Australia is essentially saying it's ok with the Islamic Republic remaining in power and terrorizing the people of Iran and the Middle East.
-16
IntelligentComment Apr 9, 2026 +9
That's a bigger straw man than in wizard of Oz lol
9
Ultra_Metal Apr 9, 2026 -9
You don't know what that term means.
-9
Hydronum Apr 9, 2026 +5
No, they seem bang on. Jog on kid. EDIT: Lol, the very new, hidden history bad faith engager blocked me. Top marks.
5
barfridge0 Apr 10, 2026 +1
The USA declined to buy the Wedgetail aircraft, they could be doing it for themselves
1
← Back to Board