Main image: An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank. (CPL: Johnny Huang)
The M1A1 Abrams tanks promised earlier to Ukraine by the Australian government are already partly loaded onto cargo ships for shipment to Ukraine.
This was reported on Monday, May 19, by Australian media company ABC, citing its own unnamed sources.
The day before, the beginning of the transfer of these tanks—which were previously in service with the Australian army—was announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome. The meeting took place after the inauguration ceremony of the new Pope Leo XIV.
According to ABC, the first batch of these tanks has already been loaded onto a transport vessel, although the Australian government refuses to disclose their current location or the expected date of arrival in Europe due to “security concerns.”
Before the shipment process could begin, Australia had to obtain approval from the United States to export the American-made tanks to a third country. Australia received the authorization; however, in private conversations, U.S. officials have expressed certain doubts and reservations about the appropriateness of transferring these tanks to Ukraine.
