Australia considers sending M1A1 Abrams tanks to aid Ukraine

Washington's approval will be necessary since these are American-made tanks and contain equipment subject to the country's ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) export laws.

A total of 59 M1A1 Abrams tanks, concluding their service in the Australian army, are under consideration. Although the Australian authorities initially did not seem interested in transferring these machines to Ukraine, they have recently changed their stance. The Australian newspaper "The Sydney Morning Herald" reported that Defense Minister Richard Marles is exploring how the tanks could be delivered to Ukraine.

Kyiv Post proposed that since "available" Abrams tanks are on the horizon, the United States should not see a problem transferring them to Ukraine. Such optimism stems primarily from this type of tank already being delivered to the Ukrainian army—31 units were handed over in 2023.

The M1A1 Abrams is equipped with a 120 mm caliber gun with a barrel length of 44 calibers. It also has additional armaments, including 12.7 mm machine guns and 7.62 mm machine guns. It is nearly 33 feet long, weighs about 63 tons, and can accelerate to about 40 mph.

It is worth noting that the United States has supplied Ukraine with versions of the tanks featuring modified armor modules, in which tungsten inserts replaced standard depleted uranium panels.

Although reports on the Abrams tanks being phased out of service in the Australian army have not yet been published, there are suggestions that they are in good condition. Kyiv Post quotes, among others, Michael Shoebridge, a former Australian defense ministry official, who stated "These tanks are still in good shape. The Ukrainians are fighting a war for national survival so we should get them there as soon as we can."

Senator Simon Birmingham of the Liberal Party of Australia (LPA) told Kyiv Post that "Australian support for Ukraine mustn’t be half-hearted as their fight is also a test of will for all democratic nations."