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Australia has announced the gifting of 49 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine as part of the latest military assistance package worth around $245 million.
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The new equipment is expected to bolster the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its fight against Russian military forces, as well as add to the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s firepower and mobility and complement partners’ support for Ukraine’s armoured brigades.
The announcement brings the total value of Australia’s military assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion to over $1.3 billion and overall support to more than $1.5 billion.
Australian Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy MP will be at the NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Brussels and will be confirming this news directly with his Ukrainian counterpart.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s illegal invasion,” Minister Conroy said.
“These tanks will deliver more firepower and mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and complement the support provided by our partners for Ukraine.
“As we face a challenging geostrategic environment, it is important that we continue to work together with our partners around the world to deter aggression and coercion and protect the global rules-based order.”
The M1A1 Abrams tanks have been an important capability for the Australian Army, providing substantial defence against enemy fire and improvised explosive devices. As they have done for Australia, the Abrams tanks will see both the capability and resistance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine further bolstered.
As was announced in January 2022, the Australian Army M1A1 Abrams are to be replaced by the M1A2 fleet. To support the transition, the Australian Army will retain a small number of M1A1 Abrams tanks to assist the introduction of the new M1A2 fleet.
The Australian Defence Force also continues to make significant contributions to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian military personnel under Operation Kudu.
The Australian government will continue to work with the government of Ukraine and its international partners to deliver meaningful support for Ukraine to end the conflict on its terms.
“Australia’s support for Ukraine has not wavered since Russia’s illegal invasion, and Australia will continue standing with Ukraine,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
“This is the latest support package which the Albanese government has announced, taking our overall commitment support to Ukraine to more than $1.5 billion.”
Ukrainian ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Vasyl Myroshnychenko has thanked the Australian government and public for their continued support.
“The government of Ukraine expresses its strongest gratitude to the government of the Commonwealth of Australia – and the Australian people – for the allocation of 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks for Ukraine’s military defence,” he said.
“I take this opportunity to specifically thank the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles MP, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong and the Minister for Defence Industries Pat Conroy MP for their commitment to Ukraine’s cause. Your leadership has significantly contributed to Ukraine’s security and future.
“This support package is very timely, very substantial and very fit for purpose. Combat assaults by the Russian Federation on Ukraine and Ukrainians have increased by some 20 per cent in the last three months to their highest level in 2024. Only this week, the Russian aggressor conducted an air strike on Ukrainian cities and towns involving nearly 140 drones and missiles.
“The tanks provided by Australia, one of the largest allocations of tanks by any ally, are likely to be used by tank brigades and mechanised infantry brigades of the ground forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) who are engaged along a 1,400-long kilometre front – or the distance between Sydney and Adelaide. Some of the soldiers in these and other units have been trained by Australian soldiers based in Great Britain.
“Ukraine’s capacity to both defend itself and to bring the war to a just conclusion is, in part, reliant on receiving adequate and continuous support from those nations, including Australia, who also believe in democracy, the integrity of national borders, and the international rules-based order.
“We look forward to working closely with the Australian government to execute the expeditious and effective transfer of the tanks to the battlefield in Ukraine. Everything that can be done to swiftly execute this process should be done as there are literally lives at stake.”
