Australia has handed over JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended-Range) glider bombs to Ukraine after they were retired from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Australian Defense reports.
“The Department of Defense’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Plan, released on October 30, states that Australia will retire its 500-pound Australian-made Mk.82 JDAM-ER munitions in 2021, in conjunction with the retirement of the F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet fleet. The ADM can now confirm that at least some of these weapons were later transferred to Ukraine as part of Australia’s support to the warring nation. However, it is unclear when the ammunition was transferred to Ukraine,” the newspaper notes.
The first known use of the JDAM-ER in Ukraine was by the Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 in March 2023, but this weapon was supplied by the United States. Only in April 2024 did Australia confirm that it had supplied unspecified air-to-ground munitions to Ukraine.
In July 2024, the Ministry of Defense announced further transfers of unspecified air-to-ground weapons as part of a $250 million package.
The JDAM-ER kit was developed by the Defense Science and Technology Group (DSTG) in the early 2000s in cooperation with Boeing and Ferra Engineering. Ferra Engineering currently manufactures the kit under an agreement with Boeing that expires in 2028.
The Australian Government will provide another AUD31 million (almost $20.6 million) in aid to meet Ukraine’s energy and humanitarian needs, according to a joint press release from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Development and Pacific Affairs.
“The new contribution includes AUD20 million to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine, which will allow the funds to be used effectively and efficiently to provide Ukrainians with heat and electricity,” the document says.
According to the document, Australia will also provide AUD10 million to the UN Humanitarian Fund to support displaced persons and vulnerable groups to increase access to basic necessities such as water, food and shelter.
A further AUD1 million has been allocated through the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to improve services for people with disabilities in Ukraine, including those in need of rehabilitation from war trauma.
“The Australian government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine and doing its part with partner countries to ensure that Ukraine can end this conflict on its own terms,” said Minister for International Development Pat Conroy.
It is specified that in total, Australia has allocated more than AUD1 billion in aid to Ukraine, including AUD880 million in military support.
“The Albanese government (Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese – IF-U) unwaveringly supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized.
The Energy Support Fund for Ukraine was established jointly by the European Commission and the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine. The Fund coordinates international donations and works in partnership with the Government of Ukraine to ensure that Ukraine’s highest priority energy needs are met.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Australia, Richard Marles, has announced another $100 million package of military assistance to Ukraine.
“Australia will stay with Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to win this war. To this end, we are today announcing another $100 million package of assistance to Ukraine. $50 million of this amount will be spent on short-range air defense systems, another $30 million will be spent on the purchase of drones, as Australia is part of the Drone Coalition with the UK and Latvia. The remainder will be used to purchase support equipment, from inflatable boats to helmets and boots,” Marles said at a joint briefing with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Lviv on Saturday.
He added that Australia was also able to provide Ukraine with air-to-ground munitions.
Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Defense of Australia Richard Marles announced another package of military aid to Ukraine from Australia in 100 million dollars.
“Australia will stay with Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to win this war. To that end, we are today announcing the next $100 million dollar aid package to Ukraine. 50 million of this will be for short-range air defense systems. Another 30 million will be for drones, as Australia is part of a drone coalition with the UK and Latvia. The remainder of the amount will be used to purchase support equipment, from inflatable boats to helmets and boots,” Marles told a joint briefing with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal in Lviv on Saturday.
He also added that Australia had been able to provide Ukraine with air-to-ground munitions.
“We understand that this conflict will be very long and we will provide more in the future because we are determined to stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary,” the minister stressed.
As Shmygal wrote in Telegram, in total, Australia’s support for Ukraine already amounts to more than $655 million, of which $540 million is specifically military aid.
“We very much appreciate such solidarity of the Australian people with Ukraine. Thank you Mr. Richard Marles for deep involvement in Ukrainian affairs, for effective solidarity, for the concrete things that Australia is doing for Ukraine,” wrote Shmygal.
The Australian government is allocating $AU 50 million ($32.4 million) for military assistance to Ukraine, the money will be transferred to the International Fund and used to purchase military equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Australia Vasyl Miroshnychenko said.
“There is good news from Australia. The Australian government is transferring 50 million Australian dollars (32.4 million US dollars) as military aid to Ukraine. The funds will be transferred to the International Fund for Ukraine (UK) for the further purchase of weapons and equipment for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Miroshnichenko wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday.
According to a report published on the Australian government’s website, Australia’s total support for Ukraine will amount to about $960 million, including $780 million to help the Armed Forces.
“Australia remains committed to supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainians who defend their people, their territory and their sovereignty. The contribution announced today will bring Australia’s total support to Ukraine to approximately $960 million, including $780 million in assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces,” the press release said.
The Australian government has allocated $AU 20 million for a military aid package for Ukraine, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said during his visit to Washington, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Australia Vasyl Miroshnychenko said on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
“20 million Australian dollars (USD 12.7 million – IF-U) will be used to purchase new products from the Australian military-industrial complex, including anti-submarine weapons (Droneshield), mine-clearing equipment (Minelab), mobile X-ray machines (Micro-X) and industrial 3D printers (SPEE3D),” he wrote.
The ambassador also announced that the Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail reconnaissance aircraft has arrived at the Ramstein base and will begin its work in the airspace of Eastern Europe.
Vasyl Miroshnychenko thanked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Defense Minister Richard Marles and Minister of Defense Pat Conroy for their support of Ukraine.
