Australia is studying the possibility of transferring decommissioned Abrams tanks to Ukraine

Australia can transfer to Ukraine the American Abrams tanks, which were written off earlier. The government is considering the possibility of such supplies. It is reported RBC-Ukraine citing The Sydney Morning Herald.

Illustrative photo

As the publication writes, the Australian government, together with the US authorities, is developing a plan that provides for the transfer of Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

Journalists drew attention to the fact that Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, who in February ruled out the possibility of providing Ukraine with Abrams tanks, softened his rhetoric.

"There are a number of possibilities that we are talking about with the government of Ukraine," the official stressed last month.

At the same time, unnamed sources in The Sydney Morning Herald in the government said that Marles is studying the possibility of providing Ukraine with Abrams tanks in view of the rules of US defense exports.

The rumors come after the Ukrainian diaspora in Australia was outraged this week by Canberra's refusal to hand over decommissioned military equipment, including long-range patrol vehicles and inflatable boats, to Ukrainian defenders. Instead, they are sold at an online auction.

At the same time, Peter Leahy, who headed the Austrian army from 2003 to 2008 and managed the introduction of M1A1 Abrams tanks, stressed that "he is surprised" why Australia does not want to provide Ukraine with Abrams.

"Even though we are decommissioning them, it is a very reliable tank, it should have been well maintained, it has spare parts... We have to load them on a ship and get them over there," he added.

In turn, former senior official of the Ministry of Defense, Michael Shawbridge, emphasized that the tanks are still "in good shape".

"Ukrainians are fighting a war for national survival, so we have to get them there as soon as possible," he added.

What preceded

It will be recalled that at the beginning of August it became known that Australia had written off the Abrams tanks, the transfer of which was requested by Ukraine.

According to the media, Kyiv called for 14 tanks and training for the crew. The Australian authorities decided to reject the request.

All decommissioned tanks in Australia were replaced by a newer Abrams modification.

Read also on Newsky "Ajax presented a speakerphone with AI. What is the device useful for?" and look at "Boring Pence" YouTube channels.

To always be aware of events, subscribe to TG channel Newsky. We also recommend current discussions of friends of Ukraine in North America on Rashkin Report YouTube channels.