Australia boosts Ukraine with 49 Abrams tanks; no helicopters
Despite Ukraine's pleas, Australia has not decided to hand over the decommissioned MRH90 Taipan helicopters. Nevertheless, Kyiv cannot complain about Australia’s generosity, as the country has agreed to supply Ukraine with 49 Abrams M1A1SA tanks.
3:31 PM EDT, October 16, 2024
Australia is modernizing its armed forces, acquiring new submarines, aircraft, K9 howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles, and tanks. Canberra has opted for American Abrams tanks—ordering 75 of these machines in the same variant as Poland, namely M1A2SEPv3.
The modernization of Australia’s army involves retiring older equipment, including 59 Abrams M1A1SA tanks. Forty-nine of them will be transferred to Ukraine. According to the Defence 24 service, reports on plans to transfer the tanks were confirmed by Australia's Defense Minister Pat Conroy during a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.
These additional 49 Abrams tanks represent a significant boost for Ukraine. Previously, the country received 31 or 33 of these tanks from the United States, with up to seven vehicles destroyed and a similar or greater number damaged. The assistance from Australia will allow Ukraine to replenish its losses in the Abrams battalion it currently operates (31 tanks) and form another battalion.
The timeline for the tanks' transfer remains uncertain. Given that the Abrams tanks arrived in Australia in 2007 and have been heavily used, they will likely undergo refurbishment in the United States. This process will involve not only renovation but also adaptation to meet the requirements and standards of the Ukrainian army.
During the refurbishment, there will be no need to remove depleted uranium inserts—Australia operates an export version of the American tank, from which uranium inserts have already been removed.
Australia will transfer tanks but not helicopters
Australia's decision addresses Ukraine's requests for the transfer of decommissioned equipment in the context of modernizing the Australian armed forces, including tanks.
As we reported recently, the MRH90 Taipan helicopters (the Australian variant of the NH-90) will not be transferred to Ukraine. Instead, they are being scrapped after decommissioning. The parts recovered will go into a pool to support the repair and operation of the remaining helicopters of this type used worldwide.
