Australia announces new $100 million military aid package for Ukraine

US signs off on more military help for Ukraine

Australia has announced its renewed support for Ukraine with a new $100 million military aid package.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, announced the package overnight during a brief visit to Ukraine.

“Australia remains committed to supporting Ukraine to resolve the conflict on its terms,” Marles said.

Defence Minister Richard Marles met Ukrainian officials during a brief visit to Kyiv.

“I am pleased to announce an additional $100 million of military assistance, including world leading drone technology, with the support of local Australian defence industry.

“Australia is also providing critical air-to-ground precision munitions and short range air defence systems.”

The Albanese Government’s support package for the war-torn country includes $50 million in military aid, which includes $30 million towards uncrewed aerial systems and another $15 million for other high priority equipment, such as combat helmets, rigid hull inflatable boats, boots, fire masks and generators.

The other $50 million is earmarked for short range air defence systems and the delivery of air-to-ground precision munitions.

The new package takes Australia’s military assistance to $880 million since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and it brings Australia’s overall support for Ukraine to more than $1 billion.

During his visit, Marles met with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal as well as the country’s Deputy Minister of Defence and watched the Ukraine armed forces carry out training drills.

Marles reiterated Australia’s commitment to the multinational program to train Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in the United Kingdom, through Operation Kudu.

“Ukraine and its people have endured more than two years of Russia’s full-scale invasion but their spirit remains strong,” Marles said.

“This was reaffirmed during my meeting with Prime Minister Shmyhal.

Earlier Marles visited Poland and met his counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

They are said to have discussed the global implications of the conflict in Ukraine, including Russia’s flagrant breach of the UN Charter.

Marles thanked the Polish government for its support of the recent six-month deployment of a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail surveillance plane.

The aircraft is understood to have helped protect a vital gateway of international humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine.

“Australia is proud to be working with our partners, including Poland, to support Ukraine’s self-defence,” Marles said.