On October 17, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced that Australia would donate 49 used M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, following months of calls from Kyiv for Canberra to deliver the vehicles.
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| Image of an Abrams tank. (Source: AP) |
According to Mr. Marles, the Australian government will donate a large number of US-made M1A1 tanks to Ukraine, with an estimated value of approximately AUD 245 million (USD 163 million). In Australia, these tanks will be replaced by 75 new-generation M1A2 tanks.
In February 2024, Mr. Marles stated that donating retired tanks to Ukraine was not on the Australian government's agenda.
However, prior to this transfer, the Australian Defence Minister affirmed on October 17 that the donation of tanks was not considered a "reversal" of previously stated policy.
"We are always in communication with the Ukrainian government to find the best way to provide support," Marles emphasized.
According to Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, Washington provided Canberra with the necessary permits to transfer tanks to Ukraine, in accordance with US international arms control laws.
"We are working closely with U.S. allies on donating these tanks," Conroy said.
In addition, the US agreed to donate 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine in January 2023 after Kyiv requested these vehicles to penetrate Russian defenses.
According to Mr. Conroy, Australia did not impose any specific conditions on how these tanks should be used, as long as Ukraine used them in accordance with international law.
Furthermore, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, declined to comment on opposition lawmakers' criticism that the tanks should have been donated sooner.
"We respect the government's decision. This was certainly not an easy decision," Myroshnychenko emphasized.
These tanks have brought the total value of Australia's military aid to Ukraine since 2022 to more than AUD 1.3 billion (approximately USD 866 million).
Conversely, Russia has repeatedly warned the US and its allies that supplying weapons to Ukraine would only prolong the conflict without affecting the final outcome, and could lead to a direct conflict between Moscow and the West.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/australia-tang-49-xe-tang-abrams-cho-ukraine-290427.html
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