Ukraine Will Receive American Tanks from an Unexpected Source
Australia has announced its decision to donate 49 of its retired M1A1 Abrams tanks to Kiev, surpassing the 31 tanks previously provided by the US. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Australia has declared its intention to donate a significant number of its retired M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, following months of requests from Kiev for military support.
In mid-2023, the United States sent 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, but reports indicate that more than half have already been destroyed in combat, with at least one captured and displayed in Moscow.
During an announcement in London on Wednesday, Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy stated that Australia is “committed to supporting Ukraine, to end the conflict on its terms.”
Ukraine will receive 49 out of the 59 tanks that Australia retired in July. The aging M1A1 models will be replaced by 120 of the more advanced M1A2 under a deal that Australia finalized with the United States in January 2022.
Vasily Myroshnychenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, has been actively requesting the tanks since their retirement was made public. Earlier, Australia opted to scrap its fleet of multi-purpose Taipan helicopters instead of sending them to Ukraine and has auctioned off retired long-range patrol vehicles and boats.
Retired General Peter Leahy, who served as Australia’s army chief from 2002 to 2008 and oversaw the introduction of the Abrams tanks, expressed confusion over the delay in sending the tanks to Ukraine, stating, “Although we are retiring them, they are a very competent tank, they should be well-maintained, there are spare parts available, and the Ukrainians are very keen to get them.”
As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, these tanks have not been used in combat but are “nearing the end of their working lives.” Some of the donated tanks will require repairs before they can be shipped to Ukraine, while others will be dismantled for spare parts.
Ahead of the unsuccessful spring offensive in 2023, Ukraine had been vocal about its need for Western-made tanks. The U.S. pledged to supply the older, stripped-down Abrams models to encourage Germany to send more of its Leopard tanks, and the UK also contributed about a dozen Challenger 2 vehicles.
However, the anticipated impact of these Western tanks did not materialize, as they turned out to be vulnerable to drones and guided artillery. Vehicles that were damaged and could be recovered had to undergo lengthy repairs in Poland.
Russia has consistently warned the U.S. and its allies that supplying weapons to Ukraine only prolongs the conflict without altering the outcome, while also raising the risk of direct confrontation. Nevertheless, the West maintains that providing Kiev with extensive military aid does not make it a participant in the conflict.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
In mid-2023, the United States sent 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, but reports indicate that more than half have already been destroyed in combat, with at least one captured and displayed in Moscow.
During an announcement in London on Wednesday, Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy stated that Australia is “committed to supporting Ukraine, to end the conflict on its terms.”
Ukraine will receive 49 out of the 59 tanks that Australia retired in July. The aging M1A1 models will be replaced by 120 of the more advanced M1A2 under a deal that Australia finalized with the United States in January 2022.
Vasily Myroshnychenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, has been actively requesting the tanks since their retirement was made public. Earlier, Australia opted to scrap its fleet of multi-purpose Taipan helicopters instead of sending them to Ukraine and has auctioned off retired long-range patrol vehicles and boats.
Retired General Peter Leahy, who served as Australia’s army chief from 2002 to 2008 and oversaw the introduction of the Abrams tanks, expressed confusion over the delay in sending the tanks to Ukraine, stating, “Although we are retiring them, they are a very competent tank, they should be well-maintained, there are spare parts available, and the Ukrainians are very keen to get them.”
As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, these tanks have not been used in combat but are “nearing the end of their working lives.” Some of the donated tanks will require repairs before they can be shipped to Ukraine, while others will be dismantled for spare parts.
Ahead of the unsuccessful spring offensive in 2023, Ukraine had been vocal about its need for Western-made tanks. The U.S. pledged to supply the older, stripped-down Abrams models to encourage Germany to send more of its Leopard tanks, and the UK also contributed about a dozen Challenger 2 vehicles.
However, the anticipated impact of these Western tanks did not materialize, as they turned out to be vulnerable to drones and guided artillery. Vehicles that were damaged and could be recovered had to undergo lengthy repairs in Poland.
Russia has consistently warned the U.S. and its allies that supplying weapons to Ukraine only prolongs the conflict without altering the outcome, while also raising the risk of direct confrontation. Nevertheless, the West maintains that providing Kiev with extensive military aid does not make it a participant in the conflict.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
