Ukrainian Defense Minister confirms receipt of Abrams tanks from Australia
Photo: Australian M1A1 Abrams are already in Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukraine's Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Australia has delivered most of the promised M1A1 Abrams tanks. Now, Ukraine is waiting for the rest of the combat vehicles.
"The majority of the 49 tanks transferred are already in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The last batch will arrive over the next few months," the minister says.
Shmyhal notes that the batch of tanks is part of a $245 million aid package. The package is part of a total amount of $1.5 billion, which is the same amount of military assistance provided by Australia since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"We are grateful to the Australian Government for its strong support and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in this difficult time," the minister adds.
On July 19, the Australian government confirmed the transfer of a batch of American-made M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. The value of the batch of tanks transferred amounted to $160 million, and the remaining tanks will be delivered soon.
Ukraine submitted a request for these tanks in February 2024. The Australian army retired the last M1A1 Abrams in August 2024 and promised to deliver 49 tanks to Kyiv as part of a military aid package. However, the delivery was postponed because, according to the rules, Australia had to obtain permission from the United States, the manufacturer of these tanks.
