First Australian tanks handed over to Ukrainian army
Australia pledged to give Ukraine 49 Abrams tanks worth $245m.
Defence minister, Richard Marles, said the tanks would aid Ukrainian firepower and complement other military equipment donated by allies to repel Russia's invasion.
'Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace,' Marles said.
A majority of the tanks have been delivered and a final tranche will arrive in the coming months, but actual numbers have not been released.
Russian missile and drone strikes in Ukraine are targeting civilians in record numbers, according to the United Nations human rights office.
June marked the deadliest month for civilians in more than three years, the UN said.
Australia will also deploy a Wedgetail aircraft to Europe in August to protect the corridors to Ukraine through which aid is delivered.
'Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine,' defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, said.
Australia has committed more than $1.5bn to aid Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022.
It comes as the federal government negotiates a non-binding security pact with Ukraine, following more than two dozen other nations that have similar agreements.
The agreements are largely vague, are not legally binding and don't include joint security or defence guarantees.
Areas of co-operation for Australia and Ukraine likely to be included in such a pact span military assistance and collaboration.
A second agreement eliminating double taxation to encourage investment in Ukraine to help it rebuild after the devastating war is also set to be inked.
The delivery of tanks also comes as United Nations and humanitarian partners launched an appeal to try and raise hundreds of millions of dollars to protect Ukrainians facing a harsh winter as Russia attacks critical infrastructure.
The winter response plan aims to deliver humanitarian assistance to more than 1.7 million people between October 2025 and March 2026.
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