The Australian government, together with the US authorities, is developing a plan that provides for the transfer of Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
Australia may transfer previously decommissioned American Abrams tanks to Ukraine. The government is already considering such a decision.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports this.
Journalists have noted that Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, who ruled out the possibility of providing Abrams tanks to Ukraine in February, has softened his rhetoric.
“There are a number of options that we are talking about with the Ukrainian government,” the official emphasized in August.
At the same time, unnamed sources in the government told The Sydney Morning Herald that Marles is studying the possibility of providing Abrams tanks to Ukraine, taking into account US defense export rules.
Such rumors appeared after the Ukrainian The Australian diaspora is outraged by Canberra's refusal to hand over decommissioned military equipment, including long-range patrol vehicles and inflatable boats, to Ukrainian defenders. At the same time, they are being sold at an online auction.
At the same time, Peter Leahy, who led the Austrian army from 2003 to 2008 and oversaw the introduction of M1A1 Abrams tanks, stressed that “he is surprised” why Australia does not want to provide Abrams to Ukraine.
“Even though we are taking them out of service, it is a very reliable tank, it should have been well maintained, there are spare parts for it… We have to load them onto a ship and ship them there,” he added.
For his part, former senior Defense Ministry official Michael Shawbridge stressed that the tanks are still “in good form”.
“The Ukrainians are fighting a war for national survival, so we must get them there as quickly as possible,” he added.
Recall that Australia has issued a postage stamp in support of Ukraine. It was developed by the Ukrainian Embassy together with the Australian side.
Similar topics:
More news
