Australia to send phased-out Abrams tanks to support Ukraine
Australian media report that the local government is increasingly in favor of transferring M1A1 Abrams tanks, which are being phased out of service, to Ukraine. Dozens of these machines are involved, and we remind you of their equipment and capabilities.
12:04 PM EDT, September 23, 2024
The Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald, citing its sources, reported that Defense Minister Richard Marles has changed his stance on transferring Australian Abrams tanks to Ukraine. When initial speculations emerged, he claimed that "such moves are not on the agenda." Currently, however, "considering U.S. arms export regulations, he is examining how tanks could be delivered to Ukraine."
Australia is phasing out 59 M1A1 Abrams tanks
This involves 59 M1A1 Abrams tanks, which the Australian army is phasing out in favor of newer M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams. Interestingly, Ukraine has made official requests twice to acquire the decommissioned M1A1 Abrams, but the Australian government rejected these requests.
Washington must also approve a potential agreement to transfer this equipment to Ukraine since Abrams tanks are American-made. One argument in favor of transferring Australian M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Ukrainian army could be that it is already familiar with this type of construction. In 2023, 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks were transferred from the U.S. to Ukraine. However, the Russians have already eliminated several of them.
Capabilities of the M1A1 Abrams tank
The Ukrainian portal Defence Express notes that there are many voices within Australia advocating for the transfer of the decommissioned Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
Among those in favor are Peter Leahy, a former Australian army officer, and Michael Shoebridge, a former official of the Australian Defense Ministry and current security expert, who believes these tanks are "still in good condition." However, it cannot be ruled out that despite this, the Australian M1A1 Abrams would require some modernization.
Although it is not the latest variant of this American tank, it still provides substantial battlefield capabilities. The M1A1 Abrams is equipped with a 120 mm gun with a length of 44 calibers and machine guns of 0.5 inches and 0.3 inches. The machine weighs about 63 tons and measures nearly 33 feet in length, and can accelerate to 42 mph. Ukrainian soldiers appreciate the Abrams for its "accuracy, excellent stabilization, and maneuverability despite its large mass".
