On Saturday, the Australian government announced that it has transferred M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a military aid package totaling 245 million Australian dollars ($160 million) aimed at bolstering defense against Russian aggression.

This was reported by Reuters.

Australia, one of Ukraine's largest partners outside of NATO, has been supplying military assistance, ammunition, and defense equipment since Moscow's invasion of the neighboring country in February 2022.

Ukraine has already received most of the 49 tanks provided by Australia, with the remainder expected to arrive in the coming months, according to Defense Minister Richard Marles.

Marles stated, "The M1A1 Abrams tanks will significantly enhance Ukraine's ongoing struggle against the illegal and immoral invasion by Russia."

According to the government, the tanks are part of a broader aid package worth 1.5 billion Australian dollars that Canberra has allocated to Kyiv.

Australia has also banned the export of bauxite and aluminum ores to Russia and imposed sanctions on around 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.

 This year, the Australian government, led by the center-left Labor Party, has labeled Russia as the aggressor in the conflict and called for a resolution to the war on Ukraine's terms.

Previously, in October 2024, it was reported that Australia would send 49 decommissioned Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a $245 million military aid package.