Australia has officially delivered the first lot of M1A1 Abrams tanks as part of the 2024 military support package to support Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian invasion.
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This shipment includes more than half of the 49 retired cars, with the remaining vehicles expected to be shipped within the next few months. These tanks were acquired by Australia in 2007 and have recently been replaced by the more recent M1A2 Abrams.
The delivery is part of a $245 million armored vehicle package and is part of Australia’s total $1.5 billion in support for the defense of Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022.
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Originally, the tanks were scheduled to be offered in October 2024, but delivery was delayed due to US approval requirements and logistics issues. US authorities expressed concern about the complexity of tank relocation and the maintenance arrangements on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Nevertheless, Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky and Ambassador to Canberra Vasir Milosnichenko publicly welcomed the arrival of the tanks.
“Every day when these tanks are not on the battlefield leads to further loss of life,” Milosnichenko said, emphasizing the importance of prompt support.
Ukraine made an official request for the Abrams tank in February 2024. Australia retired its last M1A1 in August of that year, and less than a year later the first armored vehicle arrived in Ukraine.
In addition to tanks, Australia will be sending Australian Air Force E-7A wedgetail aircraft to Europe in August 2025 to support the international support corridor. The country is also continuing to participate in Operation Kudu, which supports training for Ukrainian military forces.
Ambassador Milosnichenko also called for the need for new equipment such as Hawkei and Bushmaster. He said that most of the 120 bushmasters sent were already destroyed or damaged, and he re-requested for the provision of additional Hokey vehicles.
source:Australian Ministry of Defense | X @DefenceAust | Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and was reviewed by the editorial team.
