Scott Morrison says Australia sending armoured vehicles to Ukraine to fight Russians

Ukraine’s President Zelensky specifically asked for Bushmaster vehicles during his address to the Australian parliament

Prime Minister Morrison said the vehicles will be flown over on Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport planes

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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (centre) welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (on screen) to address the parliament in Canberra on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:57pm, 1 Apr 2022

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday that Australia will send armoured Bushmaster vehicles to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky specifically asked for them while appealing to Australian lawmakers for more help in the country’s war against Russia.

Zelensky addressed the Australian parliament on Thursday and asked for the Australian-made, four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Morrison told reporters the vehicles will be flown over on Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport planes. He didn’t specify how many would be sent or when.

“We’re not just sending our prayers, we are sending our guns, we’re sending our munitions, we’re sending our humanitarian aid, we’re sending all of this, our body armour, all of these things and we’re going to be sending our armoured vehicles, our Bushmasters, as well,” Morrison said.

Zelensky has been tailoring his message to individual countries through video appeals like the one shown to legislators in the Australian parliament. Lawmakers gave him standing ovation at the start and end of his 16-minute address.