{"id":68007,"date":"2024-10-23T15:14:48","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T15:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2024\/10\/23\/donated-aussie-abrams-tanks-to-receive-baptism-of-fire-in-ukraine\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T14:02:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T14:02:14","slug":"donated-aussie-abrams-tanks-to-receive-baptism-of-fire-in-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/land\/2024\/10\/23\/donated-aussie-abrams-tanks-to-receive-baptism-of-fire-in-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"Donated Aussie Abrams tanks to receive baptism of fire in Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand \u2014 Some have predicted the demise of heavy armored vehicles on future battlefields, but Australian defense officials, in words and actions, are underscoring the enduring relevance of the main battle tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Oct. 17, Australia pledged to gift 49 second-hand M1A1 AIM Abrams tanks to Ukraine. This came just weeks after a first batch of new M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams replacements arrived in Australia from the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australia never utilized its 59 M1A1 Abrams in combat, but they will soon be used in anger against Russian invaders in Ukraine. Boasting a 120mm main gun, thick armor and advanced sensors, older Abrams still remain a formidable battlefield weapon, whether in Ukraine or the Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are no other current or emerging technologies \u2013 or combination of technologies \u2013 that can yet deliver the capability currently provided by a main battle tank,\u201d an Australian Department of Defence spokesperson told Defense News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brigadier James Davis, the Australian Army\u2019s director general of Future Land Warfare, told Defense News that crew skills \u2013 \u201cthe basics of warfare, camouflage, concealment\u201d \u2013 remain as important as ever amid the advent of loitering munitions and similar threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\t