Canberra is investing 100 million Australian dollars ($65.6 million) to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Half of the aid will be allocated to military capabilities, with associated services to be provided by the Australian defense industry. About 30 million Australian dollars ($19.7 million) of this will be used to procure drones, while 15 million Australian dollars ($9.8 million) will cover tactical equipment. The remaining funds will be spent on short-range air defense systems and air-to-ground precision munitions. The government’s investment increases the country’s total military assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to 880 million Australian dollars ($578 million) since Moscow’s attack on Kyiv in 2022.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles announced the aid package during a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Deputy Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Ivan Havryliuk in Kyiv earlier this week. Marles also visited Warsaw and met with Polish counterpart Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz to discuss the “global implications” of Russia’s aggression in Eastern Europe. He expressed gratitude to the Polish government for accommodating a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft that assisted military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine for six months. Marles stated that Australia remains committed to supporting Ukraine to resolve the conflict on its terms and is proud to work with partners, including Poland, to support Ukraine’s self-defense.
