The Australian government announced that it has delivered M1A1 “Abrams” tanks to Ukraine as part of a $245 million package. Australian dollars (approx. 267 million leva), which will help the country defend itself against Russia, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Australia, one of the largest donors to Ukraine outside NATO, has been supplying aid, ammunition and equipment since Moscow invaded its neighboring country in February 2022.
Ukraine has already received most of the 49 tanks provided by Australia, and the rest will be delivered in the coming months, Defense Minister Richard Marless said.
„The M1A1 „Abrams“ tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion," the minister said.
The tanks are part of A$1.5 billion that Canberra has provided to Ukraine in the conflict, the government said. Australia has also banned exports of alumina and aluminum ores, including bauxite, to Russia and has sanctioned about a thousand Russian individuals and entities. Australia's center-left Labor government this year identified Russia as the aggressor in the conflict and called for the war to be resolved on Kiev's terms.