Australia is considering a US request for additional military assistance in the fight against Islamic State.
But the government has given no sign it will rush to increase numbers.
Defence Minister Marise Payne said Australia was already making a substantial contribution and other nations should consider increasing their military assistance.
She said US Defense Secretary Ash Carter had written to Australia and 39 other nations in relation to their contributions to the fight against Daesh. The US did not seek ground troops.
"We will respond to the US in due course but if you bear in mind what we are already doing in our air operations and our Building Partner Capacity work particularly in Taji with New Zealand, these are significant undertakings and Australia is already making a very significant commitment," she told reporters in Menangle, NSW.
Senator Payne said Australia could play an important role in command positions.
"We are responding to the US in relation to that as well," she said.
Australia's contribution to the fight against IS in Iraq and Syria includes six F/A-18 Hornets, a E7-A Wedgetail airborne warning aircraft and a KC-30A tanker aircraft operating from the United Arab Emirates.
As well, 300 Australian troops, plus 100 New Zealanders, have been training Iraqi army units at Taji inside Iraq. As well 80 Australian special forces personnel have been advising the Iraq Counter-Terrorism Service.
Senator Payne said Australia welcomed recent announcements from several nations, including the United Kingdom to increase their contribution.
The UK recently decided to begin launching air strikes against targets in Syria.
Australia started conducting missions against IS forces in Iraq in October 2014, as did the UK, and extended that to include targets inside Syria in September.
"The Australian Government continues to keep our contribution under ongoing review in consultation with our coalition partners," the minister said.
Share
