Australia Delivers First Batch of M1A1 Abrams Tanks to Ukraine

Australia has delivered the first batch of M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, fulfilling part of a military aid package promised last year to support Ukraine's defense against Russia.

The shipment includes more than half of the 49 retired tanks pledged by Australia. The remaining units are expected to arrive in the coming months. These tanks were part of a 2007 Australian acquisition and are being replaced domestically with newer M1A2 variants.

The delivery is part of a $245 million armored vehicle package under Australia’s broader $1.5 billion support commitment to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Though the tanks were originally pledged in October 2024, their transfer was delayed by approval requirements from Washington and logistical difficulties. U.S. officials earlier expressed concern over the complexity of the transfer and doubts about the sustainability of the vehicles in Ukraine’s battlefield environment.

Despite this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko have publicly welcomed the tanks.

“Every day we don't have those tanks on the battlefield, more and more people get killed,” said Myroshnychenko, calling the support “urgent.”

Ukraine formally requested the Abrams tanks in February 2024. By August of that year, Australia had retired its final M1A1 tank. Nine months later, the first deliveries have now taken place.

In addition to armored support, Australia will deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Europe in August to support international aid corridors. The Australian Defence Force continues to assist in training Ukrainian personnel through Operation Kudu.

Ambassador Myroshnychenko noted that Ukraine still requires more equipment, including Hawkei and Bushmaster vehicles. He claimed most of the 120 Bushmasters sent by Australia have been destroyed or damaged, and repeated calls for the release of Australia’s Hawkei fleet.