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The military vehicles form part of a new $100 million military support package announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following his visit to Kyiv.
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In response to a request from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Commonwealth government has committed $99.5 million in additional military assistance to Ukraine, including the delivery of 14 M113 armoured personnel carriers and 20 Thales-built Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles.
These are in addition to the vehicles pledged by former prime minister Scott Morrison ahead of the federal election — taking Australia’s total contribution of military vehicles since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine to 88 (60 Bushmasters and 28 M113 APCs).
The Albanese government’s latest military support package also includes other unspecified military equipment supplied by Australia’s defence industry, and a financial contribution to NATO’s Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package Trust Fund.
The value of Australia’s military assistance to Ukraine now totals approximately $388 million.
Separately, the government has pledged:
- $8.7 million to assist Ukraine’s Border Guard Service, funding upgrades to border management equipment, improvements to cyber security and enhancements border operations in the field;
- duty-free access for Ukrainian imports to Australia, complementing similar trade measures taken by our partners, including the UK and the EU;
- to intervene at the International Court of Justice in support of Ukraine in its case against Russia;
- targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on 16 additional Russian ministers and oligarchs; and
- to prohibit imports of Russian gold to limit its capacity to fund the war, building on bans from Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom and United States.
These latest announcements were made following Minister Albanese’s visit to Kyiv, where he met with President Zelenskyy as a gesture of support for the nation’s ongoing resistance.
The prime minister visited sites devastated by attacks from the Russian onslaught.
“Russia’s brutal invasion is a gross violation of international law. I saw first-hand the devastation and trauma it has inflicted on the people of Ukraine,” PM Albanese said.
“My visit to Kyiv and recent visits by other world leaders sends a clear message that democratic nations like Australia will stand side-by-side with the Ukrainian people in their time of need.”
The prime minister went on to laud the efforts of President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine.
“President Zelenskyy’s leadership has rallied the Ukrainian people to defend their country and inspired the world to support humanity and freedom,” he said.
“The road ahead is hard but I am confident Ukraine will prevail.”
[Related: Australia to send M113 APCs, additional Bushmasters to Ukraine]
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
