Australia pledges $250 million in Ukraine aid

The Australian government continues its steadfast support for Ukraine, with the announcement of Australia’s largest single military assistance package, worth nearly $250 million. At the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles met with Ukraine’s President Volodomyr Zelenskyy alongside Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) partners, where he reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to standing with Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion. As part of this, the latest military assistance package includes: Air defence missiles. Air-to-ground weapons, including guided weapons. Anti-tank weapons. Artillery, mortar, cannon, and small arms ammunition. A shipment of boots, ensuring the men and women of Ukraine’s armed forces are able to continue their vital efforts on the front line. The announcement by the Albanese Government takes Australia’s military assistance to Ukraine to more than $1.1 billion since the start of Russia’s full‑scale invasion, and overall assistance to more than $1.3 billion. Building on Australia’s reputation as a highly regarded partner, Australia will also join NATO’s new security and training initiative for Ukraine as an operational partner. This is in addition to the training of Ukrainian recruits being undertaken by Australian Defence Force personnel in the United Kingdom, as part of Operation KUDU. During his visit to Washington, Australian deputy prime minister also joined other partners in signing the Memorandum of Understanding on the Drone Capability Coalition. This follows the Albanese Government’s $30 million commitment to provide drones to Ukraine, as part of this important Coalition. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “Australia is proud to stand with its partners at this historic NATO Summit to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the Government of Ukraine. I was pleased to join IP4 partners in Washington DC to meet with President Zelensky and announce $250 million in additional military support. 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. Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine stands as an affront to international law and the rules-based order.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact : Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]