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Next-generation M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks are being shipped to Australia under a US foreign military sale program.
Tanks were loaded onto the cargo ship Allied Brooklyn on 25 June by the US 834th Transportation Battalion at the Port of Oakland in California and headed towards Geelong in Australia.
“Security was a major concern for members of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command’s 834th Transportation Battalion as tanks and armoured vehicles painted in Australian camouflage moved through East Bay streets down to the Port of Oakland last week,” a published statement by the US Army said.
The tanks, camouflaged in the traditional Australian Defence Force style, were loaded onto the ship with a number of joint assault bridges
“This helps us because the relationship is furthered between Australian and US strategic assets, moving equipment and getting it into country safely,” said Lieutenant Colonel Dean Falvey with Australia’s Heavy Armoured Vehicle Program.
“It is a major milestone for us being able to ship our vehicles back to Australia.”
Earlier this week, former Australian Army M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks reportedly arrived in Poland as they made their way to the front lines of Ukraine. The first evidence of the Abrams main battle tanks’ arrival was a photo published to social media on X (Twitter) by Polish defence blogger Krzysztof Sowa (translated) on 28 June.
M1A1 Abrams tanks have previously been an important capability for the Australian Army, providing substantial defence against enemy fire and improvised explosive devices. The Australian government had announced the gifting of 49 to Ukraine as part of a military assistance package worth around $245 million in 17 October last year.
