Australia to transfer Abrams tanks to Ukraine

16 October, 2024 M1A1 AIM-SA tanks from the Australian Ground Forces. Photo credits: Australian Army Australia will provide Ukraine with M1A1 tanks as part of a new military aid package.

Defense Minister Pat Conroy announced this during his visit to London. The new military aid package worth £245 million will also include M1A1 tanks, which the Australian army is decommissioning. "These tanks will deliver more firepower and mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and complement the support provided by our partners for Ukraine's armored brigades -- Australia has been steadfast in our support for Ukraine," Conroy said.

An Australian Army M1A1 tank during Talisman Sabre Exercise.

Photo credits: U.S. Army

In total, Australia will transfer 49 M1A1 AIM-SA tanks to Ukraine. The Australian Army used these tanks as part of 2 armored regiments between 2007 and 2024.

"As we face a challenging geo-strategic environment, it is important that we continue to work together with our partners around the world to deter aggression and coercion, and protect the global rules-based order," said Pat Conroy. As the M1A1 tanks reach the end of their service life, they will require light refurbishment before being shipped to Europe or can be repaired directly at the equipment service center in Poland. "One of the unique elements of the Australian tanks is that they're in reasonably good working order.

The fact the Ukrainians already have some M1A1s in theatre from the allies suggests there's a good logistics chain there as well as some training," he said. The Australian Ministry of Defense has purchased a total of 59 M1A1 tanks from the United States, which have been restored and modernized under the AIM (Abrams Integrated Management) program.

Australian M1A1 AIm tank with M-19 Abrams Reactive Armor Tile. Photo from open source

During their service, the tanks were upgraded to the SA (Situational Awareness) version, which improved surveillance capabilities and added a thermal imager to the M2 Browning machine gun.

In addition, as part of the SA upgrade, the Australian Ministry of Defense has also ordered additional protection kits in the form of M19 reactive armor units, in an unknown quantity. It is also unknown whether they will be delivered with the tanks. Militarnyi previously reported that the Australian Army received the first M1A2 (SEP) v3 tanks as part of the tank fleet modernization program.

The new vehicles will replace the existing fleet of 59 M1A1s that Australia purchased from the United States in 2007.

In addition to the tanks, the deal includes 29 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles, 18 M1074 Joint Assault Bridges, and 6 M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicles.