Australia has announced an additional $95 million in military assistance to Ukraine, alongside a fresh round of sanctions targeting Russian ships. This move aims to disrupt Moscow’s “shadow fleet,” a secretive network of vessels used to bypass international sanctions, particularly in transporting Russian oil. The funding boost marks Australia’s first significant increase in military support for Ukraine in over a year, bringing its total defense aid to $1.7 billion since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
The announcement comes as Australia and New Zealand become the first non-NATO countries to contribute to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a NATO-coordinated initiative designed to streamline military assistance to Kyiv. Although not part of the transatlantic alliance, Australia is a member of the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) alongside Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand, whose leaders are often invited to NATO summits.
Strengthening Military Support
Under the new aid package, Australia will provide $43 million worth of Australian Defence Force equipment, including tactical air defense radars and munitions. An additional $2 million will support the Drone Capability Coalition, which supplies advanced drone technology to Ukraine. This package builds on Australia’s ongoing role in training Ukrainian forces in the United Kingdom through Operation Kudu and the deployment of an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to secure humanitarian and military supply routes into Ukraine.
The final delivery of Australia’s fleet of 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine is expected in the coming weeks. Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized the potential impact of the additional funding on Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities, stating, “We are proud to be contributing to PURL, standing in solidarity with our partners in NATO and the Indo-Pacific to see a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”
Sanctions Targeting Russian Oil Revenue
In parallel with the military aid, Australia has imposed new sanctions on 45 Russian ships. Foreign Minister Penny Wong explained that these sanctions are part of a coordinated effort with key partners, including the United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand, and the European Union, to cut off Russia’s oil revenues and limit its ability to finance the invasion.
“This is a coordinated effort to starve Russia’s oil revenues and limit its ability to finance its invasion,” Wong said. “As a result of the actions we have taken, direct Australian imports of Russian energy products have fallen from $80 million, before Russia’s invasion, to zero.”
The measures represent Australia’s third major wave of maritime-focused sanctions since the war began, bringing the total number of sanctions imposed on Russia to nearly 1,700.
Looking Ahead: Potential Military Contributions
The announcement coincides with the Australian government’s consideration of a request to send retiring Tiger attack helicopters to Kyiv. This comes a year after disappointment within Australia’s Ukrainian community over the Australian Defence Force’s decision to dismantle and bury its grounded MRH-90 Taipan helicopter fleet following a fatal crash during a training exercise in July 2023.
As the United States continues its efforts to broker a peace deal with Moscow, Australia’s contributions to Ukraine’s defense and the imposition of sanctions reflect a broader international strategy to pressure Russia into ending its aggression. The move underscores Australia’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and maintaining global security in collaboration with international partners.
With ongoing developments in the conflict, Australia’s actions will likely continue to evolve, reflecting both regional and global dynamics. The implications of these decisions will be closely watched as the international community seeks a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
