Sydney (Reuters) -Australia's government said on Saturday that the M1A1 Abrams tanks had delivered to Ukraine as part of an AA $ 245 million ($ 160 million) package to help the country defend itself against Russia in their current war.
Australia, one of the largest non-NAVO contributions on Ukraine, has provided help, ammunition and defense equipment since Moscow invaded his neighbor in February 2022.
Ukraine has taken possession of most of the 49 tanks given by Australia, and the rest will be delivered in the coming months, said Defense Minister Richard Marles.
“The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make an important contribution to Ukraine's continuous struggle against the illegal and immoral invasion of Russia,” Marles said in a statement.
The tanks were part of the A $ 1.5 billion ($ 980 million) that Canberra provided Ukraine in the conflict, the government said.
Australia has also prohibited the export of aluminum oxide and aluminum ores, including bauxite, to Russia and has punished around 1,000 Russian persons and entities.
This year, the Center-Linkse Labor-Government of Australia has labeled Russia as the aggressor in the conflict and called for the war to be resolved on KYIV's conditions.
($ 1 = 1,5366 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Sam Mckeith in Sydney)
