The boost,which also includes $30 million towards uncrewed aerial systems and $15 million towards high-priority equipment such as combat helmets,rigid-hull inflatable boats,boots,fire masks and generators,comes a week after theUS Congress broke a months-long deadlock to send about $9 billion in military aid to Kyiv,and Britain pledged almost a further $1 billion.
Marles toured several secure military sites on a whistle-stop visit,including training facilities near Lviv,about 70 kilometres from the Polish border,before a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
The additional assistance,which pushes Australia’s overall military and humanitarian aid beyond $1 billion,includes $50 million for short-range air defence systems. Marles also revealed for the first time that Australia had delivered air-to-ground precision munitions to Ukraine’s armed forces – they are now in use on the battlefield.
Ukraine’s air defence infrastructure has been under sustained assault from Russian forces which launched more than 9000 guided aerial bombs since the beginning of the year. Russia has also targeted energy facilities with missiles and drones,triggering weeks-long power outages in cities and towns.
Marles said the additional military assistance included world-leading drone technology with the support of Australian defence suppliers.
“Ukraine and its people have endured more than two years of Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion,but their spirit remains strong,” he said. “This was reaffirmed during my meeting with Prime Minister Shmyhal. Australia is proud to be working with our partners,including Poland,to support Ukraine’s self-defence.”