Melbourne: After America, Australia has also come forward to help Ukraine which has been waging a war against Russia for two and a half years. Before this, America and Britain have been among the biggest helpers of Ukraine. But now Australia is going to give its dangerous Abrams tanks to Ukraine. Australia has said it will donate 49 of its old M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. Australia's Defense Minister Richard Marles gave this information on Thursday. Ukraine had requested to give this tank to it a few months ago.
Marles said the Australian government is giving Ukraine most of its American-made M1A1 tanks, which are worth 245 million Australian dollars (163 million US dollars). They will be replaced in Australia by a fleet of 75 next generation M1AK2 tanks. Although Marles had earlier said in February that giving obsolete tanks to Ukraine was not on his government's agenda, now on Thursday he said that he does not see this aid as a retreat from his government's previous stance. “We are continuing to talk to the Ukrainian government about how we can best support them,” Marles told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Australia's Abrams tanks fall in dangerous category
Australia's Abrams tanks may be old, but they fall in the category of dangerous. “We review the material that we have, we look at its effectiveness, its condition, and we review whether it will make a difference, whether it can be sustained and whether it can be used in combat,” he said. It can be used and the Abrams tanks meet all these criteria.'' Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnichenko, did not comment on criticism from opposition lawmakers that the tanks should have been donated earlier.
“This is a timely, very important and very fit for purpose announcement,” he said. We respect the government's decision. It was not easy and I am very pleased that a positive decision was taken.'' At the same time, the total value of military assistance given by Australia to Ukraine after the invasion by Russia in 2022 is 1.3 billion Australian dollars (86 crore 60 US dollars). Dollar) has exceeded. (Language)
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