Australia has announced its “largest” military aid to Ukraine to support its defense against Russia’s invasion.
Valued at approximately 250 million Australian dollars ($168.5 million), the package includes air defense missiles, anti-tank weapons, air-to-ground weapons, and guided weapons.
It also covers shells for cannons, artillery, mortar, and hand-held firearms, as well as boots for warfighters.
Canberra said the donation brings the government’s security assistance to Kyiv to over 1.1 billion Australian dollars ($741.7 million) and total aid to approximately 1.3 billion Australian dollars ($876.4 million) since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Alongside armaments and humanitarian needs, Australia has supported Ukraine in other ways, such as preparing recruits as part of a UK-led military training program, supplying tactical vehicles, and lending intelligence aircraft to gain strategic dominance over enemy forces.
As I met with @ZelenskyyUa today along with our partners from the Indo-Pacific 4, it was a privilege to tell President Zelenskyy that Australia continues its steadfast support for Ukraine, confirming our largest single military assistance package, worth nearly $250 million. pic.twitter.com/XsJEwDtOgY
— Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) July 11, 2024
‘Enormous Contribution’
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the latest pledge to Ukraine during a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at the 2024 NATO Leaders Summit in Washington, DC.
At the conference, Marles and international counterparts signed a memorandum of understanding on an initiative seeking an advanced drone fleet for Ukraine, for which the government has allotted 30 million Australian dollars ($20.2 million).
“Australia is proud to stand with its partners at this historic NATO Summit to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the Government of Ukraine,” Marles remarked during the event.
“The delivery of highly capable air defence capabilities and air-to-ground precision munitions represents Australia’s largest single support package for Ukraine, and will make an enormous contribution to its efforts to end the conflict on its terms.”
