Richard Marles unveils $100m new aid for Ukraine

Australia will donate new drones and air defence systems to Ukraine in a new $100m aid package to help the country’s forces rally against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Defence Minister Richard Marles tours Ukraine’s National Army Academy in Lviv with Lieutenant General Pavlo Tkachuk. Picture: Ben Lewis

Australia will hand new drones and air defence systems to Ukraine in a new $100m military aid package to help the country’s flagging forces rally against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the new support in the western Ukraine city of Lviv on Saturday – a week after the US Congress unlocked $94bn in fresh funding for the country.

The package, including $50m in anti-air missile launchers and missiles and $30m in unmanned aerial vehicles, bolster’s Australia’s support for Ukraine to $1bn.

Mr Marles visited several secure military sites on brief visit to the city, about 70 km from the Polish border, before talks with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Richard Marles visited several secure military sites on brief visit to Lviv on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

“Ukraine and its people have endured more than two years of Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion but their spirit remains strong,” he said.

“Australia remains committed to supporting Ukraine to resolve the conflict on its terms.”

Mr Marles’ visit to Ukraine comes ahead of Anthony Albanese’s expected trip to Washington DC in July for the 2024 NATO conference, where the war in Ukraine will again be centre stage.

US President Joe Biden addresses the press after signing a bill to unlock billions of dollars worth of assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Picture: Jim Watson / AFP.

The fresh support includes a further $15m worth of much-needed equipment, including rigid hull boats, combat helmets and generators.

It follows Kyiv’s disappointment at the Albanese government’s decision to junk Australia’s fleet of 40-plus MRH-90 Taipan helicopters rather than donate them to its war effort.

Australia’s failure to reopen its embassy in Kyiv since the start of the war has also been an ongoing cause of concern for Ukraine.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US was now working with allies “rushing Ukraine the capabilities to meet its urgent battlefield needs”.

Joe Biden signed a new bill into law on Wednesday green lighting major new military support to Ukraine, after House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson brokered a cross-chamber deal, defying opposition from presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

The UK also announced a major military aid package for the country in recent days, worth $1bn, lifting its support to Ukraine this year to $6bn.

Ukraine fires ATACMS missile at Russian forces for the first time

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Friday that Russia had already fired 9000 guided aerial bombs at his country this year, and his country needed fresh air defence systems – including US-made Patriot batteries – to shoot them down.

“We urgently need better systems. And missiles for them to save lives right now,” he told a meeting of NATO members and partner countries.

Mr Marles said also included world-leading drone technology, provided with the support of Australian industry.

It’s unclear which drones Australia will provide, but it has previously sent Melbourne-made cardboard models that can be used to drop bombs, deliver supplies and undertake vital reconnaissance missions.

The latest announcement brings Australia’s military support for Ukraine to $880m. The government maintains all its support to Ukraine must be safe to use, and sustainable in the country – which it said the Taipans were not.

The Albanese government has maintained Australia is one of the largest non-NATO donors to Ukraine, but has faced opposition calls to be more generous.

Australia’s contribution is just 0.041 per cent of GDP, according to tracking by the Kiel Institute. Canada has pledged $6.154 billion or 0. 3 per cent of its GDP, while Japan has donated $8bn, or 0.13 per cent of GDP.

Past support has included 120 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, 56 M113 armoured vehicles, six lightweight howitzers, and the deployment of a E-7A Wedgetail airspace battle management aircraft to Europe.

Mr Marles also visited Poland and met his counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.