Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia will fly a number of Australian-made Bushmaster vehicles over to Ukraine, after a public plea from the nation's wartime President.
An Australian Army Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV) on patrol. Photo: AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky directly appealed for the armoured vehicles while speaking to Australia's parliament via video link on Thursday, saying those "fighting against evil" must be armed.
Morrison said this morning that Australia would meet Zelensky's request.
"We're not just sending our prayers, we are sending our guns, our ammunitions, humanitarian aid, all of this, our body armour," he said.
"We're going to be sending our armoured vehicles, our Bushmasters as well, and we'll be flying them over there on our C-17 [Globemasters]."
But he did not say how many vehicles would be sent or when they would be flown to Europe.
Morrison's confirmation came after Defence Minister Peter Dutton said his department was still looking into how to get the Bushmasters to Ukraine.
"We are very, very much open to the request and I think of the inspiration that President Zelenskyy has provided to his own people and the world - he has brought Europe together in a way that was not possible before the war - we want to do whatever we can to help bring this war to an end," Mr Dutton said on Friday morning.
Speaking via a translator, Zelensky said Ukraine needed weapons as well as sanctions against Russia and its supporters.
Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky. Photo: AFP / Daniel Pier / NurPhoto
"Most of all we have to keep those who are fighting against this evil armed," he said.
"For example you have very good armoured personnel vehicles, Bushmasters, that could help Ukraine substantially, and other pieces of equipment that could strengthen our position in terms of armament.
"If you have an opportunity to share this with us we would be very grateful."
The Bushmaster is an Australian-built troop carrier that has been globally lauded for protecting soldiers' safety.
The French company Thales manufactures the armoured carriers in regional Victoria.
"We are doing logistical work on how we would get the Bushmasters there in the numbers they would need," Dutton said.
"Even on one of the huge planes you can probably only put three, maybe four, so we are just seeing what else is available in Europe."
Australian politicians gave Zelensky a standing ovation after his address to the parliament.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese each addressed Zelensky, with Morrison announcing $AU25 million in extra support for Ukraine.
"We stand with you, Mr President, and we do not stand with the war criminal of Moscow," Morrison said to Mr Zelensky.
"As you stand up to this latest tyrant you are showing us what true courage is, your excellency, it is a courage that is embodied by you," Albanese said.
- ABC