The Australian Government will provide an additional A$100 million for military assistance to Ukraine, including 20 more Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles.
As announced by the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese while visiting Ukraine this weekend, this new package will deliver important capabilities to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles confirmed in a statement that the increase in support takes Australia’s total military assistance to the Government of Ukraine to over A$385 million as Russia continues its "brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine, attacking civilian targets and killing innocent people".
Beyond providing a significant number of military vehicles, Australia will also give de-mining equipment, a donation to NATO’s Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package Trust Fund, and a further A$7 million for the purchase of much-needed defence technology and equipment from Australian suppliers.
This increase in pledged support sees the total number of Bushmasters gifted rise to 60 and M113AS4 Armoured Vehicles increase to 28. The de-mining equipment will help Ukraine remove some of the dangerous remnants of war littering the countryside.
Bushmasters have become synonymous with Australia’s support to Ukraine, especially given President Zelenskyy’s request to the Australian Parliament on 31 March 2022.
“This latest commitment will provide the Government of Ukraine with valuable tools to aid their continuing resistance against this unwarranted aggression," Marles said.
“Australia will also contribute A$20 million to NATO’s Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package Trust Fund, in addition to the A$4.2 million Defence contributed immediately following Russia’s invasion.
“The fund is a mature, efficient and safe mechanism to provide non-lethal support to the Government of Ukraine, including medical supplies and fuel.
“Australia is proud to contribute to NATO’s Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package Trust Fund alongside our international partners.”