19-05-2025
US Pacific Ally's Abrams Tanks Sent to Ukraine Despite Pentagon Concerns
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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U.S. officials have objected to the move by Australia to provide Ukraine with decommissioned Abrams tanks, it has been reported.
The first of 49 of the tanks have been loaded onto cargo ships to be sent to Ukraine in a delivery which was confirmed by Australia's prime minister Anthony Albenese.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said that Washington had warned Canberra about the difficulties of transferring Abrams tanks to Ukraine and the challenge of maintaining this equipment at the front.
Newsweek has contacted the Australian foreign ministry and the Pentagon for comment.
This image from March 25, in Avalon, Australia shows an Australian Defense Force (ADF) Abrams battle tank at the Avalon Australian International Airshow.
This image from March 25, in Avalon, Australia shows an Australian Defense Force (ADF) Abrams battle tank at the Avalon Australian International It Matters
While Kyiv welcomes the commitment of military support from Australia, its Abrams, which were big-ticket items in the U.S.'s package of military support during the Biden administration, have faced questions about their suitability.
The Associated Press (AP) reported last year that Ukrainian forces were pulling the tanks from the front lines due to the high risk of detection by Russian drones although Kyiv denied the claim.
What To Know
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the delivery of the tanks when meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome on Sunday although the date of their arrival was withheld for security reasons, ABC reported.
Zelensky and Albanese also discussed Australia's potential participation in the Coalition of the Willing and post-war security guarantees for Ukraine.
Australia had to wait for Washington's approval to export the U.S.-made tanks to a third country and while this was granted, American officials have expressed frustration about the move, according to ABC, citing an unnamed U.S. official.
When the U.S. donated tanks to Ukraine in 2023, they were hoped to give Kyiv a valuable boost for combined arms maneuvers against Russia, however Western experts and Ukrainian officials raised questions about the quantity of the tanks and their problematic logistics.
An Australian defense official told Australia's ABC said it was unclear whether Kyiv wanted the tanks given that the tank's roof is the weakest point of the vehicle and would be vulnerable in a drone war.
What People Are Saying
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese after meeting Volodymyr Zelensky: "Russia's illegal aggression must be stopped, and we stand clearly and unequivocally on the side of Ukraine."
A U.S. official to Australian outlet ABC: "we warned the Australians that sending these Abrams tanks would be complicated, and once they finally get to the battlefield the Ukrainians will find them difficult to sustain."
What Happens Next
Australia said it would send Ukraine the 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks as part of a broader military aid package in October 2024. Kyiv had previously received 31 Abrams tanks from the Biden administration in late 2023 although it is unclear how many are still operational as of 2025.
