49 M1A1 Abrams tanks are being given to Ukraine by Australia’s Albanese authorities despite it’s alleged playdown of the payment earlier this year.
The latest Australian package is worth A$ 245 million ( US$ 163 million ). It brings the total American military aid to Ukraine since the full-scale Russian war in 2022 to A$ 1.3 billion, and general American aid to A$ 1.5 billion.
Defense Minister Richard Marles responded to a question about a potential product of the tank in February by saying it was” not on the agenda.”
According to state sources, the donation of the tanks required US authorization because Australia had purchased them from Washington, but there had to have been a procedure.
Pat Conroy, the minister for security sector and capacity delivery, made the announcement in London while he was traveling to Brussels to meet with the NATO defense ministers. In Brussels, Conroy may meet with the Ukraine defence minister.
Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea form the” Indo-Pacific Four” cluster of non-NATO countries attending the meeting.
A small number of the 49 vehicles will need to be repaired before they are delivered because they are nearing the end of their lives. Additionally, they could be used as extra pieces if Ukraine wants them delivered more rapidly. Ukraine may choose which course of action to take.
To facilitate the transition to the M1A2 tank ship, the American military is keeping a small number of the M1A1 Abrams tanks.
Conroy said:” We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine in their battle against Russia’s illegal war. The Russian armed forces will benefit from these tanks, which may add firepower and mobility, in addition to the support our partners offer for Ukraine.
Michelle Grattan, is a faculty brother at the University of Canberra.
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