Australia donates 49 Abrams tanks to Ukraine

Defence Minister Richard Marles said on October 17 that Australia will donate 49 old M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, after Kiev called on Canberra for months to transfer the vehicles.

Image of 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 about 245 million AUD (163 million USD). In Australia, this fleet will be replaced by 75 new-generation M1A2s.

In February 2024, Mr Marles said donating retired tanks to Ukraine was not on the Australian government's agenda.

However, before this transfer, the Australian Defense Minister on October 17 affirmed that he did not consider the donation of tanks as a "reversal" of the previous policy.

"We are always in communication with the Ukrainian government to come up with the best way to support," Mr. Marles emphasized.

According to Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy, Washington has provided Canberra with the necessary licenses to transfer tanks to Ukraine, in accordance with US international arms control laws.

"We are working closely with our US allies on donating these tanks," Conroy said.

In addition, the US has agreed to send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine in January 2023 after Kiev wanted to own these vehicles to penetrate Russian defense lines.

According to Mr. Conroy, Australia does not set any specific conditions on how these tanks will be used, as long as Ukraine uses them in accordance with international law.

In addition, Mr. Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, did not make any comments on criticism from opposition lawmakers that the tanks should have been donated earlier.

"We respect the government's decision. This is not an easy decision," Mr. Myroshnychenko stressed.

The tanks bring Australia's total military aid to Ukraine since 2022 to more than 1.3 billion AUD (about 866 million USD).

On the contrary, Russia has repeatedly warned the US and its allies that providing weapons to Ukraine will only prolong the fighting without affecting the final outcome, and will also lead to the risk of direct conflict between Moscow and the West.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/australia-tang-49-xe-tang-abrams-cho-ukraine-290427.html