from an Australian government media release—

19 July 2025

The Albanese Government continues its steadfast support for Ukraine, with the transfer of the first tranche of Australian-gifted M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In response to a request from the Government of Ukraine, Australia is providing 49 Abrams tanks to help bolster its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion [did Oz protest against the ‘illegal and immoral’ US/UK invasion of Iraq in 2003? At least NZ’s then PM Helen Clark did.–Eds].

Ukraine has now taken possession of the majority of these tanks, with delivery of the final tranche to occur in the coming months.

The Abrams tanks will add to the mobility and firepower of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and complement other partners’ support for Ukraine’s armoured brigades.

This support package, valued at approximately $245 million, is part of the $1.5 billion in assistance Australia has committed to Ukraine since the start of this conflict.

In August, Australia will deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Europe to help protect a vital international gateway for assistance to Ukraine.

That 49 is actually more than Blinken-Biden sent to Ukraine — 31. And it seems that of that 31 only 2 are still functional. these rest have been destroyed or captured and now feature in Russian park displays of captured equipment.

It also seems that Albo’s 49 tanks are old ones which are being replaced with newer model M1A2 SEPv3 versions, see this article. Quite why Australia needs tanks in the first place is another question that should be asked –maybe in case the Abo’s get too stroppy and build fortresses? And the all-up size of Australia’s donation — $1.5 billion — to the Mafia regime in Kyiv is something Australian taxpayers should be questioning, but no doubt the MSM keeps them quiet with Globalist bullshit. —Eds