Earlier this month, the United States, under an order from President Donald Trump, had temporarily frozen all defense assistance to Ukraine, including weapons already in transit through Poland. Although the halt lasted only about a week starting March 4, it disrupted not just ongoing U.S. shipments but also deliveries from other allied countries.
According to ABC News, the suspension affected the transfer of Australian Abrams tanks, which now "faces possible complications." Australia’s defense ministry acknowledged the complexity of military aid transfers, and Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is expected to visit Canberra soon to discuss these issues.
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Poland’s logistics hub in Rzeszów is responsible for handling roughly 80% of Ukraine’s incoming military aid, including Australian Abrams tanks.
While the facility has since resumed operations, sources in Europe are still concerned about its status, especially after recent withdrawals of several U.S. Air Force logistics units.
Retired Australian Major General Mick Ryan, quoted by the publication, stressed Ukraine’s urgent need for these tanks, stating:
"If the US military system isn't able to move these things in a timely fashion, we should be looking at working with our Polish friends or even private contractors — obviously considering security issues, to get these things to Ukraine as soon as we possibly can."
Also, an anonymous U.S. official cited by ABC News added an important detail: when Australia committed to supplying Abrams tanks in early 2024, Washington had already warned of logistical and maintenance challenges associated with second-hand tanks.
Even if the tanks reach Ukraine, their upkeep will still be problematic, so Ukraine’s continued dependence on the U.S. support remains relevant.
As a reminder, in October 2024, Australian defense industry minister Pat Conroy officially announced the government’s decision to transfer 49 decommissioned M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a military aid package valued at $164 million.
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