The government is sending 14 M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and a further 20 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) to Ukraine as it defends against a faltering Russian offensive in the eastern Donbas region.
Additionally, Australia will deliver 60 pallets of medical supplies, donated by Australian citizens, along with three pallets of radiation monitoring equipment and personal protective equipment, on behalf of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority (ARPANSA) and Australia Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
"This additional assistance will further support the Government of Ukraine in its response to Russia’s brutal, unrelenting and illegal invasion," Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said in a release published on his personal website.
The $60.9 million in new support for Ukraine (14 APCs is $12 million and the 20 PMVs is $48.9 million) takes Australia’s total contribution to date to over $285 million.
Australia has previously provided six M777 155mm lightweight, towed howitzers and 155mm howitzer ammunition to Ukraine, on top of 20 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, 14 protected weapons systems, anti-armour weapons and ammunition, military equipment, combat rations, medical supplies and financial contributions.