The Australian government has announced the handover of the M1A1 Abrams tank to Ukraine as part of a aid package worth 245 million AUD (equivalent to 160 million USD). This is part of a total of 1.5 billion AUD ($980 million) that Australia has pledged to Ukraine since the conflict with Russia broke out.
Most of the 49 tanks that Australia has promised to provide have been received by Ukraine, the rest will be transferred in the next few months. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles affirmed that Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's efforts to deal with the conflict launched by Russia.
Australia is one of the non- NATO countries that provide the largest support to Ukraine, including weapons, ammunition and defense equipment. The Australian government has this year declared Russia an aggressor in the conflict and stressed that the resolution of the conflict should be based on conditions proposed by Kiev.
In addition to providing military aid, Australia has also imposed a ban on the export of alumina and aluminum ore, including bauxite, to Russia. At the same time, the country has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.
