Australia’s Department of Defence has initiated the delivery of M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine as part of its commitment to support the country during the ongoing Russian invasion. This significant development was confirmed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vatican City, coinciding with the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV, as reported by ABC News.
This delivery comes after a previous announcement in April, which indicated that the shipment of these tanks had been postponed due to necessary international clearances. In February 2024, Ukraine expressed its intention to integrate the decommissioned M1A1 fleet from Australia into its military operations to bolster ground firepower.
Australia’s response to Ukraine’s request took eight months, resulting in a planned package that includes 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks. Notably, this donation will not compromise Australia’s own national defense capabilities, as these tanks were slated for replacement by newer M1A2 Abrams models under an ongoing modernization program. The Australian Defence Force began receiving its first M1A2 vehicles in December 2024.
The M1A1 Abrams, which joined the Australian military in the early 2000s, was brought in to replace the older Leopard AS1 tanks that had been in service since 1977. Weighing in at 62,000 kilograms (approximately 136,687 pounds) and measuring 10 meters (33 feet) in length, the M1A1 is operated by a four-person crew. Its armament includes a grenade launcher, a 120-millimeter smoothbore cannon, a .50-caliber heavy machine gun, and .30-caliber support guns. The tank is powered by a robust 1,500 horsepower engine, enabling it to cover a range of 400 kilometers (249 miles) and reach a maximum speed of 60 kilometers (37 miles) per hour.
