Ukraine asks Australia for additional Bushmaster armored vehicles
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is asking Australia to provide additional military aid. Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha talked about Bushmaster armored vehicles and other weapons, RBC-Ukraine correspondent reports.
The minister noted that the situation on the battlefield remains very difficult, and the need to strengthen Ukrainian soldiers is extremely urgent.
“That is why today I have requested additional military support, including the famous Australian Bushmaster and other weapons,” Sibiga said.
According to him, Ukraine will also propose to take into account the needs of the Ukrainian army when writing off military equipment in service with the Australian defense forces.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who is on a visit to Kyiv, said she would pass on Ukraine's appeal.
“I have heard that my colleague has requested additional assistance. And, of course, I will pass on these requests to Australia for consideration,” she said.
Australia has already provided Ukraine with Bushmaster armored vehicles in previous military aid packages. Back in April 2022, the country sent 20 Bushmasters worth $38 million.
Australia handed over another 30 armored vehicles in October 2022. New deliveries were also reported in December 2023.
Request for written-off equipment
Earlier, Ukraine had requested the transfer of M1A1 Abrams tanks, which the Australian army was going to decommission. Australia had 59 tanks in service.
However, Australia did not agree to this. At first, Australia said that the tanks should be sent to the United States for repair so that they could be used by Ukrainians. Then they explained that they wanted to replace the Abrams tanks gradually.
In August 2024, it became known that the Australian Department of Defense had decommissioned all M1A1 Abrams tanks.
