Australia sending dozens of battle tanks to Ukraine

Australia is making another major commitment to Ukraine to help it fight against Russia, which invaded the eastern European country in 2022.

The Albanese government is gifting dozens of battle tanks to Ukraine in its latest round of support for Kyiv’s fight against invading Russian forces.

The package, worth around $245m, will hand Ukraine 49 American-designed M1A1 Abrams nearing the end of their operational lives.

Defence Minister Richard Marles renewed Australia’s commitment to the Ukrainian cause.

“Australia’s support for Ukraine has not wavered since Russia’s illegal invasion and Australia will continue standing with Ukraine,” Mr Marles said in a statement announcing the fresh aid.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Australia has given Kyiv some $1.3bn worth of aid to help fight back.

Canberra’s backing of Ukraine has earned Australia a spot on Russia’s register of “unfriendly countries” – a geopolitical naughty list.

M1A1 Abrams form the backbone of both United States and Australia’s tank forces and have been deployed by Western militaries in numerous campaigns.

Australia will retain a handful as the Army transitions to a new fleet of M1A2s.

Australia is giving Ukraine 49 M1A1 tanks to help Kyiv fight back against Russia.

The M1A1 is the backbone of Australia’s tank forces.

“These tanks will deliver more firepower and mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and complement the support provided by our partners for Ukraine,” Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said.

“As we face a challenging geostrategic environment, it is important that we continue to work together with our partners around the world to deter aggression and coercion and protect the global rules-based order.”

Mr Conroy will attend a summit of NATO defence ministers in Belgium’s capital Brussels later this week, where he will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart to confirm the aid package in person.

The tanks follow the Albanese government’s $250m assistance package announced in July, which included air defence missiles, anti-tank weapons and much needed artillery shells.

Australia has also shipped hundreds of personnel carriers to Ukraine, including 120 Bushmasters.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has killed and wounded hundreds of thousands on both sides and displaced more than 10 million people.

While Russian forces have continued to make minor advances in Ukraine’s east, it has come at an enormous human cost.

And with Ukrainian forces well and truly dug in on Russian territory, many analysts have questioned the sustainability of the conflict for Moscow.

Some 11,500 Ukrainians have found safe haven in Australia.