Australia to Give Out 49 M1A1 Abrams Tanks to Ukraine

Australia has announced it will give 49 of its aging M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, months after Kyiv required the redundant fleet in the ongoing war with Russia, The Associated Press reports.

Defense Minister Richard Marles confirmed the giveout on Thursday, stating that the Australian government was giving Ukraine the majority of its American-made M1A1 tanks, valued at 245 million Australian dollars ($163 million). These tanks will be replaced in Australia by a fleet of 75 next-generation M1A2 tanks.

In February, Marles had initially ruled out donating the tanks to Ukraine.

The United States, the original supplier of the M1A1 tanks, allowed Australia to transfer the tanks to Ukraine following its decision in January 2023 to send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, after months of lobbying from Kyiv.

The donation of the M1A1 tanks brings Australia’s total military assistance to Ukraine to over AU$1.3 billion ($866 million).