Antarctic expeditioners at Mawson station receive critical supplies after a complex airdrop operation

The mammoth operation was required after thick sea ice prevented a full resupply at the station earlier this year. (Supplied: AAD)

Australia's air force has "threaded the needle" and pulled off one of its most complex operations, airdropping 9,000 kilograms of cargo to a remote Antarctic station that has been cut off for months.

Eighteen Australian Antarctic researchers on Mawson station have been without a full resupply since March, when thick sea ice hampered a restocking mission.

Australia's new Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina is still under construction in Romania and replacement icebreaker MPV Everest experienced a fire onboard in April.

But on Thursday — after three months of planning — the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) and the Australian Defence Force pulled off an "amazing effort", making a 15-hour round trip from Perth to the Mawson station.

The crew delivered 23 loads of cargo, including medical supplies, fresh food and mail from family to the researchers.

"Something tactile from home, from family and loved ones at this time of the year, it's an amazing boost of morale," AAD's general manager of safety and operations Charlton Clark said.

The aerial delivery of 23 loads of essential cargo will support the station until the next resupply mission. (Supplied: AAD)

Mr Clark said the logistics of the operation were complicated by the remoteness of the location, weather conditions and COVID-19 border restrictions.

"At this time of the year, access is almost impossible.

"The team on the ground had challenging conditions. They set up the drop zone during the night hours, -25 [Celsius], in strong winds.

"Just simply moving people around Australia at the moment in the COVID environment just makes that all more complex."

The Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III had to fly 5,000 kilometres over the Southern Ocean before reaching the drop zone.

The flight departed Perth International Airport on Thursday morning for the 15-hour round trip over the Southern Ocean. (Supplied: AAD)

It was supported by a tanker transport aircraft, which provided fuel mid-air to make the journey back.

On arrival at Mawson station, the aircraft had to drop off the cargo in "near-total darkness", ensuring no penguins or seals were nearby.

Mail, fresh food and gifts from loved ones in Australia formed part of the cargo. (Supplied: AAD)

Wing Commander Dion Wright said it was "a complex mission, carried out with perfection".

"Everything came together on the night. The aircrew delivered the load perfectly where it needed to be," he said.

The AAD is yet to make a decision on which icebreaker it will use for this season while it awaits the arrival of RSV Nuyina.