Australia provides Ukraine with Abrams tanks and boats: aid exceeds $1bn

Photo: U.S. Army

Australia has provided Ukraine with military assistance worth more than $1 billion, of which $880 million was allocated for the purchase of military equipment. According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga at a briefing with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Kyiv on 18 December, the aid includes 49 Abrams tanks and 14 boats.

“We are deeply grateful to Australia for its support, including the recent delivery of 49 Abrams tanks and 14 boats. The total amount of assistance is more than $1 billion, of which $880 million is military aid,” Sibiga said.

He also said that he had asked the Australian side for additional military support, including the supply of Bushmaster armoured vehicles and other weapons. The minister added that Ukraine would also propose that its needs be taken into account when decommissioning equipment in service with the Australian Defence Force.