Defence Minister Richard Marles has revealed a new $100 million aid package from Australia to assist Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russian forces. The announcement includes allocations of $50 million for short-range air defense systems, $30 million for drones, and $15 million for equipment such as helmets, inflatable boats, boots, fire masks, and electricity generators. Marles made the declaration during a brief visit to Ukraine, where he engaged with key Ukrainian officials like Prime Minister Denys Shmyal and Deputy Defence Minister Ivan Havryliuk.
Expressing solidarity with Ukraine, Marles emphasized that despite enduring over two years of Russia's invasion, the spirit of the Ukrainian people remains strong. This latest contribution brings Australian military aid for Ukraine to a total of $880 million since Russia's illegal invasion in 2022. As part of this assistance, Australia has previously provided Ukraine with 120 Bushmaster armored vehicles and six Howitzer artillery guns, demonstrating a substantial commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities. In conjunction with this aid, Australian troops have also played a vital role in training Ukrainian soldiers as part of Operation Kudu in the United Kingdom. The Australian Defence Minister's visit coincided with a vital plea from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging allies to enhance their support for the besieged Ukrainian military.
The commitment from Australia comes while the United States Congress approved a significant aid package of $95 billion for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, earmarking $13.8 billion for Kyiv to procure weapons. Zelenskyy stressed the urgent necessity for Patriot surface-to-air missile systems to safeguard Ukrainian cities, highlighting the critical role such weaponry could play in saving lives amidst ongoing attacks. Marles, during discussions with his Polish counterpart Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in Europe, underscored Australia's dedication to aiding Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, while also acknowledging the broader geopolitical implications within Europe. Additionally, a Royal Australian Air Force Wedgetail surveillance plane, previously deployed to Europe to support Ukraine, has now returned to Australia after fulfilling its mission.