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Former Australian Army, now heavily modified M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks recently delivered to Ukraine have reportedly seen their first bout of combat against Russian forces near Pokrovsk.
The Abrams main battle tanks, donated by Australia to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have recently been used by the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelia in a battle near Pokrovsk, Ukraine.
Ukrainian military bloggers have speculated that the newly arrived Australian main battle tanks, transferred via Poland, were used in Ukrainian defensive operations in northern Pokrovsk around 1 January this year.
The Abrams tanks allegedly entered fighting alongside BMP infantry fighting vehicles in Pokrovsk while Ukrainian troops were carried forward to conduct counterattacks to prevent a breakout of Russian troops near a railway line.
One Abrams main battle tank was reportedly damaged by Russian explosive drones during the assault.
The former Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tanks have undergone significant modification to meet wartime conditions in Ukraine, including the addition of overhead net and wire barriers against FPV explosive drones, camouflage with forest-style material, Ukrainian language labelling of internal systems and displays, passive and active protection such as Soviet-era Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour blocks and M-19 Abrams reactive armour tiles.
Late last year, Australia confirmed delivery of all 49 to the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the majority of the M1A1 tanks handed to Ukraine in July 2025. A final delivery was made in December.
“The M1A1 tanks equip Ukraine with the capability it needs to defend itself against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion. The delivery of the M1A1 Abrams tanks represents our support to Ukraine and our commitment to uphold the global rules-based order,” according to a public statement from Australia’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group.
“Thank you to our people from the Australian Defence Force and Public Service as well as contracted organisations working across Australia, at sea, and in Europe who supported the delivery from Geelong through to Ukraine.”
As was announced in January 2022, the Australian Army M1A1 Abrams are to be replaced by the M1A2 fleet. To support the transition, the Australian Army will retain a small number of M1A1 Abrams tanks to assist the introduction of the new M1A2 fleet.
“These tanks will deliver more firepower and mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and complement the support provided by our partners for Ukraine,” Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said last year.
“As we face a challenging geostrategic environment, it is important that we continue to work together with our partners around the world to deter aggression and coercion and protect the global rules-based order.”
