Australia to provide Ukraine with Abrams tanks as part of new aid package

ABC reports.

Australian Defense Minister Pat Conroy will announce a new aid package at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.

"We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine in their fight against Russia's illegal invasion. These tanks will deliver more firepower and mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and complement the support provided by our partners for Ukraine's armored brigades — Australia has been steadfast in our support for Ukraine," Conroy assured British officials in London.

The article states that Australia will provide Ukraine with a total of 49 Abrams tanks.

At the same time, the country has recently received the first tank of 72 new Abrams M1A2s, which will replace 59 old M1A1s that the Australian army has never used in combat.

• On July 12, the Australian government announced plans to provide Ukraine with $250 million in military support, the largest package from the country since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.