Following the Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon. Scott Morrison, MP, announced on 27 February 2022 that the Australian Government will join other allies and partners in providing military assistance to Ukraine, following Russia’s senseless and illegal invasion of Ukraine sovereignty. A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III aircraft departed RAAF Base Richmond, Sydney, en route to Europe on Wednesday, 02 March 2022 carrying critical military equipment and medical supplies to support the Government of Ukraine. This assistance, along with the humanitarian funding, are in addition to the significant sanctions Australia has already imposed on Russia.
Scott Morrison said that the Australian Government will provide around A$70 million ($51.4 million) in lethal military assistance to support the defence of Ukraine, including missiles and weapons. The country will also provide a range of non-lethal military equipment and medical supplies, in response to a specific request from the Ukrainian government. Australia will also commit immediate humanitarian assistance of an initial A$35 million for supplies, including the provision of shelter, food, medical care and water. Australia will join other allies and partners to help the people of Ukraine to defend their nation, following Russia’s senseless and illegal invasion of Ukraine sovereignty.
The C-17A Globemaster III allows Australia to rapidly deploy troops, supplies, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters anywhere in the world. Based at RAAF Base Amberley, all eight C-17As are operated by No. 36 Squadron, and provide a logistics backbone for Australian Defence Force operations overseas. Australia introduced an initial fleet of four C-17As between 2006 and 2008. Additional aircraft were acquired in 2011, 2012, and 2015. The McDonnell Douglas/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft that was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) by McDonnell Douglas. The transport is in service with the USAF along with air arms of India, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and the Europe-based multilateral organization Heavy Airlift Wing.
