An Australian army M1A1 Abrams main battle tank fires a round at a target during Exercise Chong Ju, a live fire demonstration showcasing the army’s joint combined arms capabilities at the Puckapunyal Military Base some 100 kilometers north of Melbourne on May 9, 2019. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

SYDNEY — Australia will donate an aging fleet of 49 American-made Abrams tanks to Ukraine, bolstering its ground forces ahead of a difficult winter campaign, the defense department said Thursday.

The M1A1 Abrams tanks — weighing over 60 tonnes and equipped with heavy firepower — were due to be decommissioned starting next year.

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Instead, they will be sent to help the war effort in Ukraine, a welcome boost on the back of a $425 million arms package recently unveiled by Washington.

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READ: Australia to provide more armored vehicles to Ukraine

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s illegal invasion,” Australian defence industry minister Pat Conroy said in a statement announcing the gifting of the tanks.

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Conroy will meet Ukrainian officials at Nato headquarters in Brussels later this week.

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“I am especially grateful for Australia’s brave decision to provide 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks for our defense against Russian aggression,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday on social media platform X.

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READ: Australia expands sanctions against Russians

“Australia remains our reliable partner in defending freedom, democracy, human life, and global security.”

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Some of the ageing tanks will require minor repairs, while others may be used as a source of much-needed spareparts.

Ukraine has made several requests for Australia to donate old military equipment.

Earlier this year, Australia started scrapping its MRH-90 Taipan helicopters rather than sending them to Ukraine.

At the time, Conroy said the helicopters were not in flying condition.

Australian defence analyst Michael Shoebridge said Canberra needed to step up donations of military equipment.

“Australia’s decision to send its recently retired M1A1 tanks to Ukraine is good news.

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“It overturns a previously disastrous approach with other systems retired by Australia’s militaryrich ph, with Taipan helicopters being cut up and buried instead of provided to Ukraine as they had requested.”

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