The first four M113AS4 armored personnel carriers (APC) Australia is providing to Ukraine departed Royal Australian Air Force base Amberley last week bound for Ukraine, the Australian defense ministry has revealed.
Loaded into a Ukrainian Antonov AN-124 aircraft, the vehicles were the first of a total 14 M113s that will be gifted to Ukraine by Australia.
The M113AS4 APC is a longstanding in-service ADF armored fighting vehicle capability, designed to transport infantry soldiers on the battlefield.
Developed in Australia, the AS4 is a modernized variant of the M113 series which have served the Australian Army and many other forces since the 1960s.
Australia’s transfer of APCs follows the donation of 20 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles from earlier this year.
In all, the Australian government’s military assistance package consists of over AUD 285 million worth of support, including Bushmasters, M777 howitzers; anti-armor weapons, ammunition, unmanned aerial systems and a range of personal equipment.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese said the latest shipment of military assistance responds to a direct request by the Ukrainian defense minister for additional vehicles.
“Australia, like many nations, condemns the continuing unwarranted aggression of Russia against the people of Ukraine,” Albanese said.
“Our nation has stood by Ukraine since the beginning of this unlawful conflict and we are proud to be able to provide access to significant capabilities such as the armored personnel carriers that have travelled in the past week.”
Deputy prime minister Richard Marles added “We will continue to look at ways we can best help the people of Ukraine. Australia stands with Ukraine, and again calls on Russia to cease its unprovoked, unjust and illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
