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The Australian government will provide another 30 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles for Ukraine as part of a new assistance package.
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Australia has already supplied 90 of the domestically-built, four-wheel drive armoured vehicles as part of approximately $890 million in overall assistance given to the country.
The timing of the new assistance package is opportune with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese currently in his second appearance at the 2023 NATO summit held this week in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Prime Minister Albanese said the government continues to look for practical ways to assist the Ukrainian leadership and people and help bring about a rapid conclusion to the conflict.
“I am pleased to have met President Zelenskyy again today and to inform him of Australia’s decision to gift 30 additional Bushmasters to Ukraine,” he said.
“Australia remains steadfast in its commitment to support Ukraine.
“We are proud to provide additional Bushmaster vehicles to assist the brave men and women fighting for their home and their nation’s sovereignty.
“Russia unilaterally launched this illegal and immoral invasion and should withdraw its troops and end the conflict immediately.”
The latest announcement on 12 July follows the recent gifting of 8 M113 armoured personnel carriers, 14 special operations vehicles, 28 MAN 40M medium trucks, 14 trailers and supplies of 105mm artillery ammunition and a $10 million contribution to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund announced by Australia in late June.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the Australian government is calling on Russia to end the war so peace can be restored as quickly as possible.
“From the start of this invasion, Australia has stood by Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression, which is a gross violation of international law,” he said.
“The gifting of further military support is a tangible sign of our nation’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine and the rules-based international order.”
The government also recently announced the deployment of a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, 100 crew and support personnel to Germany for approximately six months from October to help protect assistance to Ukraine.
“Australian Bushmasters have been used extensively by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and our additional contribution of 30 vehicles will bolster Ukraine’s capabilities,” said Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
“We are providing sustainable and meaningful support to Ukraine, including through our humanitarian assistance and through our diplomacy.
“Russia’s attack on Ukraine is an attack on us all. It is an assertion that a larger country is entitled to subjugate a smaller neighbour. We again call on Russia to cease its illegal, immoral war on Ukraine.”
