Australian Abrams shipment to Ukraine is delayed due to a hold-up in Washington

A group of decommissioned Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tanks designated for Ukraine remains inactive, primarily due to delays in U.S. export approvals. These tanks are part of a $245 million military aid package revealed by the Albanese government in 2024, yet they have not departed from Australia over six months after the announcement.

The delay is attributed to the necessity of obtaining formal U.S. authorization prior to transferring American-made defense equipment to another nation. As reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), this situation has been exacerbated by a temporary suspension of military aid to Ukraine imposed last month by President Donald Trump. Although these tanks were included in a wider Australian commitment to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s aggression, the initiative now seems to be at a standstill.

An unnamed defense official expressed concerns, stating, ‘We are beginning to question whether the Ukrainians truly desire these vehicles — the tank roof is the most vulnerable part of the Abrams, and this is a drone warfare environment.’ This comment arises amidst growing doubts regarding the suitability of the heavily armored M1A1 for Ukraine’s changing combat landscape, characterized by frequent drone strikes and a high demand for agile, mobile units.

Nevertheless, Ukrainian forces persist in their quest for any available armored vehicles, including older models like the British Ferret armored car, underscoring the critical nature of their equipment shortages. The delivery process is further complicated by speculation about possible peace talks, with sources indicating that ‘it would be awkward to have the tanks loaded on ships in the ocean’ if a ceasefire were to be declared, also mentioning a lack of qualified personnel to accompany the vehicles during transit.

In a statement to ABC, a spokesperson from the Department of Defence indicated that Australia is on track to deliver the M1A1 Abrams by 2025. The export process for the M1A1 is still in progress, and Defence is collaborating with the Ukrainian government according to established agreements regarding the gifting, which includes aspects of delivery and maintenance.

Australia acquired 59 M1A1 tanks in 2007, none of which have been deployed in combat. These tanks are being retired and replaced with the more advanced M1A2 variant. So far, Australia has committed over $1.5 billion in support to Ukraine, which includes $1.3 billion allocated for military aid.