Australia will supply almost 50 tanks to Ukraine in the largest contribution to the war effort since the Russian invasion.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said Australia would gift 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks to the European country in a package worth about $245 million.
“This latest package will add to the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s firepower and mobility and complement partners’ support for Ukraine’s armoured brigades,” Deputy Prime Minister Marles said.
He said the total value of Australia’s military assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion was now over $1.3 billion, with overall support more than $1.5 billion.
“The M1A1 Abrams tanks have been an important capability for the Australian Army, providing substantial defence against enemy fire and improvised explosive devices.”
Deputy Prime Minister Marles said the Australian Army M1A1 Abrams would be replaced by the M1A2 fleet and the Army would retain a small number of M1A1 Abrams tanks to assist the introduction of the new M1A2 fleet.
