Australia сompletes delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine via Poland

A convoy of Australian M1A1 Abrams tanks reached a secure, undisclosed location in Poland on December 19, completing the final phase of a tightly controlled operation to transfer the armoured vehicles to Ukraine, which remains at war with Russia.

The Australian Defence Force later granted the ABC News exclusive access to details of the mission after it was completed, ending weeks of secrecy surrounding the final shipment. The delivery forms part of Australia’s commitment to provide 49 retired M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. Although the donation was announced publicly in 2024, the complex logistics involved in transporting the tanks across the globe had not previously been disclosed.

The final 12 tanks began their journey in October, when they were loaded onto a dedicated cargo vessel in Geelong, Victoria. Five Australian Defence Force personnel accompanied the shipment during a 55-day sea voyage to the Northern Hemisphere. After arriving in Europe, the vehicles were moved onward to a secure site in Poland.

At that location, 16 additional ADF personnel set up a temporary maintenance facility to carry out comprehensive inspections of each tank. These checks covered turrets, weapons systems, optics, and tracks to ensure the vehicles were fully operational before transfer. The final preparation phase was expected to take around a week, accounting for the time the tanks had spent in transit.

The first 37 Australian Abrams tanks were delivered in July, with the remaining 12 arriving over the past two weeks. According to officials overseeing the mission under Operation Kudu—Australia’s training and support operation for Ukraine—strict secrecy was maintained throughout to avoid compromising Ukrainian military security.

The M1A1 Abrams tanks were manufactured in the United States and entered Australian service nearly two decades ago. In October 2024, the Albanese government pledged the vehicles to Ukraine as part of a broader modernisation of Australia’s armoured fleet. Their transfer required approval from the United States under International Traffic in Arms Regulations, a process that contributed to delays.

Earlier this year, concerns were raised by US officials about the cost and complexity of sustaining Abrams tanks in Ukrainian conditions. Acknowledging these issues, Australian commanders noted that while the M1A1 is a highly capable platform, it requires consistent maintenance. Debate has also continued over the role of heavy armour in a conflict increasingly shaped by drones, with experts noting that although the Abrams remains among the most capable tanks in the world, it has vulnerabilities, particularly on the top of the turret and hull.

Following delivery, Ukraine is expected to adapt the tanks with additional protective measures already used in the conflict, including cage armour and reactive panels. After final inspections in Poland, the last tanks were transported by rail into Ukraine, accompanied by Australian Defence Force personnel, marking the completion of Australia’s Abrams tank transfer to the Ukrainian military.

By Tamilla Hasanova