Would an ANZAC be a realistic proposition?Out of UAE.
The E7 is I think particularly valuable. Because of the recent blue on blue shootings of F-15. There is also the issue of trying to make corridors for commercial flights out.
This is the sort of complex battlespace the E7 excels at. E3, smaller AWACs and spaced based systems are not going to be very good at. We have monitored drones in Ukraine before, so we already have lots of experience and proof of concept with exactly that kind of battlework.
I imagine the UAE will provide escort and defence capabilities. Which they will gladly do, as their planes can be deployed effectively.
I think they can be pretty safely based out of UAE. They seem to be targeting GPS coordinates of fix assets, not mobile ones. The Emirates will definitely throw a lot of protection around, if an E7 is destroyed Australia's commitment may be withdrawn, as might any and all other allies.
I wouldn't completely rule out a ship, to help escort fuel out.. Maybe not this week, but soon. That will be a much tougher ask, higher risk, and the fleet is in such a state maintaining that may be an issue. We don't have enough destroyers in the water, and we are already decommissioning Anzacs which are a bit light in air defence in a world full of low cost drones.
No Phalanx or bushmaster.
Most likely ESSM only.
Load of 32
Hobart yes,but just two available.
Would we risk it?
Also should we actually be involved???????
Cheers S