An Army M1A1 Abrams fires its 120mm cannon during exercises at Puckapunyal, Victoria. Picture: Department of Defence
AUSTRALIA will send 49 of its retiring Abrams tanks to Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles says.
The M1A1 Abrams tank deal is worth about $245 million and brings Australia’s total military support for Ukraine to more than $1.5 billion.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy confirmed the news with his Ukrainian counterpart at a NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Brussels, the Defence Department says.
MORE: Australia to give more support to Ukraine in war against Russia (newscop.com.au)
The move was welcomed by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, and Opposition Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham.
In a post to social media, Birmingham wrote: “(I) Strongly support the decision to gift 49 M1A1 tanks being retired by the Australian Army to Ukraine. The tanks should be delivered asap.”
Myroshnychenko describes the news as “very timely, very substantial and very fit for purpose” in his post to social media.
He says the allocation is among the largest of any tank shipments for them and would help them on their 1400-km frontline with Russian troops.
MORE: Britain to provide battle tanks to Ukraine War – NewsCop
Marles says that “Australia’s support for Ukraine has not wavered since Russia’s illegal invasion and Australia will continue standing with Ukraine”.
“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.”
Conroy says Australia stands “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Ukraine in their war with Russia.
“These tanks will deliver more firepower and mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and complement the support provided by our partners for Ukraine,” he says.
“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 are being phased out by the Australian Army in favour of the M1A2 tank.
The Australian Defence Force is also training Ukrainian military personnel under Operation Kudu.
