Australia sent decommissioned Abrams tanks to Ukraine

Decommissioned American Abrams tanks, promised by Australia, were sent to Ukraine. This was reported on May 19 by ABC Radio.

Australia has started shipping 49 Abrams tanks, with the first delivery already on the way. According to the country's Defense Minister Richard Marles, the process of loading combat vehicles onto a cargo ship began recently. The location and timing of the arrival of the equipment in Europe were not disclosed for "security reasons."

Before the start of the delivery, Australia received approval from Washington to export American tanks to a third country. This decision was not made without internal resistance: despite the formal agreement, American officials were secretly disappointed by this transfer.

"Last year, even before Donald Trump returned to the presidency, we warned the Australians that sending these Abrams tanks would be difficult and when they finally get to the battlefield, it would be difficult for Ukrainians to service them," an American official told ABC on condition of anonymity.

Skepticism is expressed in Australia itself. According to Marles, the fighting in Ukraine has demonstrated the vulnerability of this class of equipment.

"We are beginning to doubt that Ukrainians really need these cars. The roof of the tank is the weakest point of Abrams, and this is the confrontation of drones," he said.

According to the information, the equipment will be delivered to Poland, from where it will continue to Ukraine.

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported on September 20, 2024 that Australia was considering the possibility of supplying Ukraine with decommissioned Abrams tanks. It was clarified that Kiev had repeatedly asked Australia for supplies. At the same time, decommissioned military equipment, including patrol cars, armored personnel carriers and off-road vehicles, were put up for sale on trading floors in Australia.

The New York Times (NYT), citing Ukrainian officials in March 2025, reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost 19 Abrams tanks out of 31, the rest were withdrawn from the line of contact.