Australia officially delivered the first batch of M1A1 Abrams to Ukraine tanks, fulfilling part of a promised military aid package in 2024 to support Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invasion.
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Shipping includes more than half of the 49 promised retired tanks. The remaining units will be sent in the coming months. These vehicles were part of the Australian fleet acquired in 2007, recently replaced by more modern versions of the M1A2 Abrams.
Delivery is part of a package of armored vehicles worth 245 million dollars, within a broader commitment of 1.5 billion dollars in Australia with the defense of Ukraine since the beginning of the war in 2022.
Although the tanks were originally promised in October 2024, the delivery was delayed due to approval requirements by the United States and logistics challenges. The US authorities expressed concern about the complexity of the transfer and the ability to maintain the Abrams on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Despite the obstacles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the ambassador to Canberra, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, publicly celebrated the arrival of vehicles.
“Every day without these tanks on the battlefield means more lost lives,” said Myroshnychenko, underlining the urgency of aid.
Ukraine formalized the application of the Abrams in February 2024. In August of the same year, Australia withdrew his last M1A1. Less than a year later, the first armored ones arrived in Ukraine.
In addition to the tanks, Australia will send in August 2025 an E-7 Wedgetail aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force to support international aid corridors in Europe. The country also maintains its participation in Operation Kudu, which contributes to the training of Ukrainian military.
Ambassador Myroshnychenko also reiterated the need for new equipment, such as Hawkei and Bushmaster vehicles. As indicated, most of the 120 bushmasters have already been destroyed or damaged, and made a new call for the release of the Hawkei fleet.
Fuente: Australian Ministry of Defense | X @defenceaust | Wikimedia This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
