The Australian government has completed the delivery to Ukraine of the first batch of M1A1 Abrams battle tanks, a decision that was made back in October last year.
This was stated in a statement from the country’s Ministry of Defence.
"In response to the request of the Ukrainian government, Australia is providing 49 Abrams tanks to help strengthen the Ukrainian fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion," the statement reads.
The defense department specified that Ukraine has already received more than half of the promised tanks, and the delivery of the remaining combat vehicles will take place in the coming months.
"The M1A1 Abrams tanks will add mobility and firepower to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and make a significant contribution to Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression," said Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles.
"Australia remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine and is committed to a just and lasting peace," added the head of the defense department.
Australia, one of the largest non-NATO contributors to Ukraine, has been providing military assistance, ammunition, and defense equipment since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The government has decided to allocate an aid package to Ukraine worth 1.5 billion Australian dollars (about $910 million), under which the decommissioned M1A1 Abrams tanks are supplied to the Ukrainian side, with Kyiv previously requesting this from Canberra.
The prolonged delay in the transfer of tanks to Ukraine is due to the need for the Australian side to obtain Washington’s consent to send American-made tanks to a third country, as well as logistical difficulties in transporting such a number of armored vehicles to Ukraine.