Australia dispatches Abrams tanks to bolster Ukraine's front
Australia has begun loading Abrams tanks for Ukraine, as reported by the Ukrainian portal Defense Express. This suggests that Canberra may have obtained permission from Washington to re-export the American-made designs to the front line. The transfer of these weapons was first discussed in October 2024. Since then, Ukrainians have been anticipating the start of these deliveries.
Australia has started loading Abrams tanks onto a ship for delivery to Ukraine. However, the government has not disclosed specific details of the shipment for security reasons. It is known, though, that it involves several dozen vehicles.
Abrams tanks for Ukraine
Australia plans to deliver 49 Abrams M1A1 tanks to Ukraine. The same models were previously provided by the USA (31 units) in September 2023. These tanks do not have depleted uranium armour, which facilitates their export to Ukraine. According to Defense Express, the commencement of delivery indicates that Canberra obtained Washington's consent to provide the Abrams tanks, despite initial scepticism from American officials.
The decision to transfer the tanks was made in October 2024. Previously, Australia was hesitant to transfer these machines to Ukraine, similar to the case with MRH90 Taipan helicopters, which were ultimately destroyed. Now, however, nearly 50 Abrams tanks will enhance the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Delivery process
According to the source, the transportation of the tanks to Europe will take about 25 days if the ship arrives in Greece, or 35 days if it arrives in Poland. Following this, the tanks will require additional upgrades, including enhanced protection with anti-drone mesh. Only after these modifications can they be deployed on the front lines.
The M1A1 tank is renowned for its robust armour. Compared to earlier models, it features composite armour with depleted uranium inserts (absent in the units being transferred to Ukraine), significantly increasing its resistance to anti-tank fire. This makes the M1A1 Abrams one of the best-protected tanks of its era. In addition to a powerful cannon, the tank is equipped with an M240 machine gun with a calibre of 7.62 mm and a heavy M2 Browning machine gun with a calibre of 12.7 mm. Depending on the version and configuration, it may also be equipped with active defence systems and advanced observation systems.
The M1A1 Abrams tank is powered by a Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine, generating 1,500 horsepower. Despite its weight of over 60 tonnes, the tank is highly mobile. It can reach speeds of up to 68 km/h on hardened roads and move efficiently across difficult terrain. The hydropneumatic suspension, on which the chassis relies, provides significant stability and driving comfort, which is crucial during combat operations.
