Ukrainian President Thanks Australia for Donation of 49 Abrams Tanks

Five Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tanks from the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) cast long shadows during Exercise Diamond Catalyst at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland. TPR Jonathan Goedhart/Australian Defence Force

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the people of Australia for donating more than $170 million (US$115 million) worth of “essential defence assistance” in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

His comments come as the Australian government confirmed it would donate 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

The tanks were obtained in 2007 but have not been involved in active combat. They are due to be replaced by a newer fleet of 75 M1A2 Abrams battle tanks.

The newer tanks were signed off on by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, with a cost of $3.5 billion.

“We value our partnership with Australia and its meaningful contribution to achieving just and lasting peace in Ukraine, restoring stability in Europe, and protecting rules-based international order,” Zelenskyy said on X, formerly Twitter.

“Australia remains our reliable partner in defending freedom, democracy, human life, and global security.”

According to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the tanks being donated to Ukraine are equipped with cannons and machine guns and have a powerful range in all weather conditions.

However, the tanks are considered aged, and Ukraine has been given the option of having them repaired before their arrival or taking them immediately for spare parts.

Some of the fleet will remain in Australia as the transition to the newer model plays out.

Ukrainian soldiers are already trained in the operation of the tanks because of previous donations from the United States.

“This will be of huge help and used for various defensive lines and defensive operations,” Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko said.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy told ABC Radio National that Australia would support Ukraine throughout the war.

“We’re really privileged to be the largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance,” he said.

“The 49 very capable M1A1 Abrams tanks will help support the people of Ukraine in their valiant struggle to end the war on its terms, and it will help maintain pressure on Russia.”

Cutting Back on Tanks Places Australia at Risk: Major General

The move comes as defence experts have, for years, pushed for Australia to cut back on its Abrams tank force and to instead transform into a military force more suitable for the country’s marine environment.

Yet in June, former ADF Major General Adam Findlay has warned this could leave the military too narrowly focused to be able to handle the unpredictable nature of warfare.

The current strategy held by Australia revolves around long-range lethal retaliation in the event of an attack on Australian soil, as well as more naval vessels and mobility.

Findlay, now a Griffith University professor, said the current strategy had “given up on land combat capability.”

“You engage in land combat when you actually want to defeat somebody. When Australian soldiers stand there on the ground with the enemy defeated, that’s when they’re defeated,” he said.