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Ukraine will soon be able to use decommissioned Australian Abrams tanks in the war against Russia.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported this.
According to the publication, the Australian government, together with the US administration of President Joe Biden, is working on a plan to send American-made Abrams M1A1 tanks to Ukraine.
At the same time, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles says, “There are a number of possibilities we are discussing with the Ukrainian government.”
Government sources reported that Marles is studying how to ship the tanks in compliance with US defense export regulations.
Previously, Australia had ruled out providing this equipment to Kyiv.
In July, Australia decommissioned 59 Abrams M1A1 tanks, which had never been used in combat and are now being replaced with newer models. Purchased for $550 million in 2004, these combat vehicles are equipped with cannons and machine guns.
Former senior Australian defense official Michael Shoebridge commented: “These tanks are still in good condition. The Ukrainians are fighting a war for national survival, so we must get them there as quickly as possible.”
Earlier, Ukraine officially requested Australia to join the US, UK, Poland, and Germany in providing tanks to defend against Russian aggression.
Read also: The more weapons we give Ukraine, the faster peace will come, – Stoltenberg
