Australia has announced that it will be sending 49 ageing M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, valued at 245 million Australian dollars. The decision comes after several months of negotiations between Canberra and Kyiv, with Ukraine requesting the use of the redundant fleet. Australia’s Defence Minister, Richard Marles, stated that the tanks meet all the necessary criteria to make a difference in the conflict and can be sustained and maintained for use in the fight.
This donation is part of Australia’s military assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, totaling over AU$1.3 billion. The US has given regulatory clearance for the transfer of these tanks, allowing Australia to fulfill Ukraine’s request. The tanks will be used as part of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “victory plan” to bring an end to the war without making territorial concessions to Russia.
The decision to donate the tanks does not come without controversy, as most Western supporters of Ukraine have been hesitant to grant permission for cross-border strikes for fear of escalating the conflict. Australia, however, has placed no specific conditions on how Ukraine may use the tanks, as long as they adhere to international rules of law.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, has expressed gratitude for the donation, calling it timely, substantial, and fit-for-purpose. The decision is seen as a positive step in supporting Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression.
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