Air defense, drones, and equipment: Australia provides $100 million military aid package to Ukraine

He made the announcement during a joint press statement with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Marles explained that $50 million of this amount will be spent on short-range air defense systems, $30 million on the purchase of drones for the Ukrainian military, and another $15 million on equipment, including helmets, inflatable boats, gas masks and power generators. Australia will also donate air-to-ground munitions to Ukraine.

"Ukraine and its people have endured more than two years of full-scale Russian invasion, but their spirit remains strong. Australia will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to win this war," Marles said.

He expressed the view that the conflict will be a long-term one.

According to him, the latest package brings Australia's military aid to Ukraine to $880 million since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, and Australia's overall support for Ukraine has exceeded $1 billion.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Australia will provide Ukraine with $32.5 million worth of drones and a batch of RBS 70 man-portable air defense systems worth tens of millions of dollars.

"As part of the drone coalition, Australia will supply us with drones worth $32.5 million. Also, a large batch of RBS70 man-portable air defense systems worth tens of millions of dollars will be sent to Ukraine," Shmyhal said.

He noted that a wide range of strategic cooperation issues were discussed during the meeting with Marles.

"I am confident that our partnership is long-term and has great prospects for development," Shmyhal said.

He emphasized that in the military aspect, Ukraine is interested in strengthening its defense and creating the preconditions for success on the battlefield.

• The Ministry of Defense is working to ensure that at least 20 countries join the drone coalition. The coalition currently has 8 partner countries.
• On March 8, Canada joined the Ukrainian drone coalition to further strengthen Ukraine's capabilities.
• On March 21, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles announced that his country has joined the drone coalition for Ukraine.