As part of the military support package promised in 2024, Australia officially leads the first M1A1 Abrams tank to Ukraine and supports Ukraine fighting against Russia’s invasion.
The India includes more than half of the 49 veterans’ tanks, and the remaining tanks will be delivered in the next few months. These tanks were introduced by Australia in 2007, and have recently been replaced by the latest M1A2 Abrams.
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The India is part of the $ 245 million armored car package, which is included in the $ 1.5 billion military support promised by Australia for Ukrainian defense since the outbreak of the war in 2022.
The tanks were originally scheduled to be delivered in October 2024, but were delayed due to the US approval process and logistics issue. The US authorities expressed concern about the complexity of the Indian process and the possibility of maintenance on the battlefield.
Nevertheless, President Bolodimir Jellensky President Ukraine and Zhu Canberra Ukraine Ambassador Basil Basil Schnikenko publicly welcomed the tank arrival.
“Every day these tanks are not on the battlefield mean more life sacrifices,” Ambassador Maze Shunychenko said and emphasized the need for urgent support.
Ukraine officially requested the Abrams tank in February 2024. In August of that year, Australia retired the last M1A1 tank, and within a year, the first armored vehicle arrived in Ukraine.
In addition to the tanks, Australia will dispatch the E-7A Wedge Tail Aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to Europe in August 2025. Australia also continues to participate in the Operation Kudu, which supports Ukrainian military troop training.
Ambassador Mirosuni Chenko again emphasized the need for additional equipment such as Hawkei and Bushmaster vehicles. He said that most of the 120 Bushmasters sent to date have been destroyed or damaged, and again requested the provision of Hawkeye cars.
source: Australian Defense Ministry | X @DEFENCEAUST | Wikimedia. This content was written with the help of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team.
