The media notes that Ukraine sent Australia a request for military helicopters, but Canberra decided to scrap dozens of MHR-90 Taipan helicopters instead of transferring them to Ukraine.
The option of transferring Tiger helicopters produced in Europe and belonging to the Australian Defense Forces (ADF) to Kyiv is now being considered. They want to decommission these devices in connection with the transition to American Apache helicopters (they plan to receive 29 of them).
The TV channel noted that Australia has not supplied Ukraine with new military equipment since October 2024, when it confirmed the delivery of 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks.
A fleet of 22 Tiger strike missiles entered service with the Australian Army in 2004 and were due to be phased out by 2028, but that date could be pushed back, ABC says. The first Apaches will arrive in October.
Journalists' interlocutors say that if Canberra decides to send Tiger helicopters to Kyiv, this will be done separately from the expected funding package.
Context
On May 19, ABC News reported, citing its own sources, that Australia began transmitting to Ukraine decommissioned Abrams tanks, despite dissatisfaction from the United States. It was noted that before shipment, Canberra received permission from Washington to export American-made tanks to a third country.
