Tank epic: Australia still hasn't delivered the promised Abrams to Ukraine due to lack of permission from the US
Australia has not yet delivered any of the promised M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, despite official commitments, as deliveries are blocked due to bureaucratic and technical difficulties, as well as the lack of formal permission from the United States.
Here's What We Know
According to the ABC, the transfer of 49 Abrams tanks in the M1A1 AIM-SA modification, which Australia pledged to deliver to Ukraine in October 2024, has not yet taken place. The official reason given is the need to dismantle secret systems used only by the Australian army, as well as the need for minor repairs. According to sources, this maintenance work has been going on since at least March.
However, Australian officials acknowledge that the delay is also due to the lack of permission from the United States. As you know, Abrams tanks are an American product, so their transfer to a third country requires the approval of the US government.
After President Donald Trump temporarily froze military aid to Ukraine in March 2025, the process of transferring equipment from other countries also faced obstacles, including the closure of a logistics centre in Poland.
An M1A1 Abrams tank. Illustration: армія США
An Australian defence official, who wished to remain anonymous, said that strategic concerns also complicate the situation: in particular, the risk of late arrival of the equipment in the event of a possible peace agreement, the lack of sufficient officer escorts for sea transport, and doubts about the feasibility of using Abrams drones in a war due to the vulnerable roof of the vehicle.
In a commentary to ABC, the Australian Department of Defence said it was not reneging on its promise and was continuing to work with the Ukrainian government to transfer the tanks. The ministry confirmed that the export process is ongoing and deliveries are expected in 2025.
The M1A1 AIM-SA tanks were in service with the Australian army from 2007 to 2024 and have been upgraded to meet the requirements of the modern battlefield, including improved situational awareness, a thermal imager for the machine gun and M19 dynamic protection kits. It is not yet known whether these protection kits will be transferred to Ukraine along with the tanks themselves.
Source: ABC
