The recent delivery of the final batch of M1A1 Abrams to Ukraine had special meaning for Townsville-born – and now based – tank troop leader Lieutenant Mitchell Walker.

Valued at about $245 million, the donation of heavy armoured vehicles met a direct request from Kyiv. It is part of more than $1.7 billion in total Australian assistance delivered since the conflict began, of which more than $1.5 billion is military aid.

A contingent of Australian Defence Force tank specialists, logisticians, mechanics and support staff, including Lieutenant Walker, travelled to Poland in late November, as part of Operation Kudu, to prepare the final 12 tanks for handover to Ukraine in December – 37 tanks were delivered in July.

“Tank number 51 – the one I’m sitting on – is the vehicle I finished my tank officers course on last year,” Lieutenant Walker said.  

“It’s good to see it one last time, because I thought I’d only be able to see it at the back-end of 2024. I know this tank is going to do its job well for the Ukrainians.”

Known to his mates as ‘Tex’, Lieutenant Walker followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Army as a teenager. His father – Warrant Officer Craig Walker, now a reservist – signed up as a 16-year-old and finished his full-time career at the Rotary-wing Aircraft Maintenance School. He now works for Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group.

“I left school and went straight into Army as a 17-year-old and went and joined tank crewmen with 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment,” Lieutenant Walker said.

'I know this tank is going to do its job well for the Ukrainians.'

After three years he went to the Australian Defence Force Academy, commissioned as an officer and went back the Royal Australian Armoured Corps.

“It’s been an absolute privilege being here [Poland] maintaining these vehicles and handing them over to where they are desperately needed,” Lieutenant Walker said.

“The other thing that I am happy about is that I was able to bring junior soldiers over here with me to do their job in a foreign country in support of Ukraine, defending itself against an illegal and immoral invasion by Russia.  

“It’s been a hugely beneficial experience for all of us.”

Commander Operation Kudu – Europe Colonel James Smith said the operation to bring the tanks from Australia to Europe had been a major logistical exercise, but was made possible because of the experience and capability of personnel such as Lieutenant Walker.

“Tex and his team have done Australia proud. They have worked in incredibly cold and harsh conditions to bring these vehicles up to scratch and ready for war,” Colonel Smith said.

“He has led his team well and I couldn’t be more proud.”

The delivery of the final M1A1 Abrams comes after the Australian Government announced a new $95 million package of military assistance for Ukraine in December, which includes:

• A $50 million contribution to NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List initiative, which funds critical military equipment.
• $43 million of ADF materiel and equipment, including tactical air defence radars, munitions and combat engineering equipment.
• An additional $2 million contribution to the Drone Capability Coalition, focused on providing Ukraine with advanced drone technologies.