The Albanese government has relented after months of pleas and will donate 49 of the army’s M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, with the aim of delivering them in time and training crews to use them in next year’s northern hemisphere spring offensive.

Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko hailed the announcement as Australia’s most significant contribution to his country’s war effort, saying the tanks would either be used on the battleground or to help strengthen Kyiv’s hand in eventual peace talks.