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Ukraine is set to receive new batch of decommissioned Australian M1A1 Abrams tanks, promised by Canberra last year but delayed due to U.S. re-export restrictions. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the vehicles are already “on their way,” marking another step in Western military support for Kyiv.
Australia purchased these Abrams tanks from the U.S. in 2007 but retired them in favor of newer models. Last year, Canberra pledged to transfer 49 of them to Ukraine, but the deal was stalled until Washington approved the re-export. Now, after months of bureaucratic delays, the first batch is en route to Europe.
Before shipment, the tanks were stripped of some Australian-specific systems, though exact details remain undisclosed. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized close coordination with the U.S. and Ukraine but avoided specifics on delivery timelines, citing operational secrecy.
Destroyed Abrams tank in Ukraine
Logistical Challenges and Uncertain Combat Role
The tanks are expected to arrive by sea, likely docking in a European port—possibly in the Netherlands, Greece, or Poland—before being transported to Ukraine via rail or road. This follows Australia’s established supply routes, previously used for Bushmasters, M777 howitzers, and M113 APCs.
However, the Abrams’ battlefield impact remains questionable. Previous U.S.-supplied M1A1s underperformed in Ukraine due to their massive weight, logistical demands, and vulnerability to Russian drones and anti-tank weapons. Most have been used sparingly, often for propaganda footage rather than decisive assaults. Reports suggest that half of the Australian tanks may go to Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade (“Magura”), while the rest could serve as spare parts donors or reinforce future units in 2025–2026.
A Symbolic Gesture or a Strategic Move?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already thanked Australia for the tanks, even claiming they are “being used in combat”, a puzzling statement given that they haven’t yet reached Europe. This suggests Kyiv is eager to portray the delivery as a major boost, despite the Abrams’ mixed record.
The muted reaction to this transfer contrasts sharply with the hype around earlier Western tank shipments. Initially touted as game-changers, Abrams tanks have instead become symbols of their defeats in modern warfare, burning as easily as Soviet-era armor under drone strikes.
While Australia’s contribution reinforces Western solidarity with Ukraine, it’s unlikely to shift the battlefield balance. The Abrams’ high-maintenance demands and susceptibility to drones make them a risky asset in Ukraine’s grinding attrition war. Instead of becoming another “wunderwaffe,” they may simply add to the growing scrap metal graveyard, further denting the reputation of American armor in real-world combat.
ruzzia: omg!!! we destroyed an old and rusty abrams.
meanwhile ruzzia: pulls out their mighty t-14 armata from ukraine.
lmfao, let that sink in.
bla, bla, bla. why don’t you send the newest abrams. they’ll be rusting burnt somewhere on donbass steps in five seconds.
its seems i am censored for agreeing with you -“””thanks”””” sf.
russia has already tested western steel used in its armoured vehicles and developed weapons to slice through them it has also developed excellent electronic warfare equipment which even the usa acknowledges is making its missiles “useless ” .
houthis detected a f 35 “stealth” fighter. let that sink in little lgbt soldier boi.
some trigger happy american sailor detected their detection using aegis and shot the f-35 down to avoid its further detection.
straight out the national enquirer.
ukraine said it has developed a new, finer mesh tank cage for the beasts, to protect from pigeon droppings which are known to penetrate the tank’s thin top armor with ease.
🇷🇺=🤡 😆😆😆
more target practice for russian drone operators. like shooting fish in a barrel.
why not sink the ship off the coast and save lives?
not until the shipment is within ukraine borders otherwise provoke nato article 5.
they will burn nicely
rt has just announced that their tanks operating in ukraine have been uprated and modified to counteract all western drone attacks especially from the top .