Ukraine is about to receive aid of 49 Abrams super tanks to deal with Russia

Ukrainian Abrams tank (Photo: Metinvest).

Australia has announced it will donate most of its retired M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, after months of Kiev calling on Canberra to transfer the equipment.

Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced the information in London, England on October 16, saying that his country "is committed to supporting Ukraine, ending the conflict on their terms".

Kiev will receive 49 of the 59 tanks that Canberra retired in July.

In 2004, Australia purchased 59 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks from the United States, and these were retired in July as Canberra began receiving upgraded M1A2 tanks. Despite being 20 years old, Canberra's M1A1 tanks have seen relatively little use.

Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasily Myroshnychenko, has been asking Canberra to provide Kiev with these tanks since reports emerged that they would be retired.

Last fall, the US sent 31 old Abrams to Ukraine, which are being deployed with the country’s battle-hardened 47th Mechanized Brigade. But the Abrams remain vulnerable to a variety of Russian threats, particularly small, explosive-laden drones.

The Abrams tanks are highly regarded, but the versions given to Ukraine are not equipped with the same modern armor as the US military's version, making them vulnerable to destruction.

In addition, the small number of Abrams is considered a challenge for Ukraine. Kiev has repeatedly said that with such a limited number of tanks, Abrams can hardly make a difference on the battlefield.

The Abrams' performance in Ukraine was not really convincing and Russia claimed to have destroyed many of its opponents' tanks of this type.

Russia has repeatedly warned the United States and its allies that supplying weapons to Ukraine only prolongs the fighting without affecting the final outcome, and risks a direct conflict between Moscow and the West.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ukraine-sap-duoc-vien-tro-49-sieu-tang-abrams-de-doi-pho-voi-nga-20241017072244999.htm