The first machine has already set off by sea towards Europe; will be transported to the logistics base in Poland, and then will go to the front in the east of Ukraine – said ABC.
The decision to transfer 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks was made by the Australian government in October 2024, however, the delivery was delayed by the procedure for obtaining consent resulting from American provisions regarding the control of armament export (ITAR). Despite the informal reservations on the part of some American officials regarding the usefulness and logistics of the operation of these machines Washington finally allowed them to be transferred.
War in Ukraine. Kyiv has already received American Abramsy
Support for Ukraine 49 M1A1 Abrams vehicles is another important element of international support for Ukraine – emphasizes the agency, reminding that so far Ukraine received 31 Abrams tanks from the USA (delivered in autumn 2023).
The ABC agency also reminded that on Sunday during the official visit to the Vatican on the occasion of the inauguration of the pontificate of the new head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leon XIV, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelnski, and that during this meeting he confirmed that during this meeting he confirmed that he confirmed that he confirmed that he confirmed that “Everything is ready for the first tanks to set off”.
He also assured the Ukrainian leader with further diplomatic and sanction support against Russian aggression. Zelanski expressed deep gratitude for his help and emphasized that every additional unit of equipment increases the abilities of the Ukrainian armed forces on the front.
In addition – ABC points out – during a visit to the Vatican, the Australian Prime Minister talked to the chairwoman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen about strengthening defense cooperation between Australia and the European Unionincluding in the areas of cybersecurity, as well as possible joint military exercises.