After more than two years of conflict, the Ukrainian Ground Forces have experienced significant wear and loss of equipment, a situation that has been partially reversed with the support of their Western allies. Among the substantial amount of material delivered, the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles have become a prominent player due to the protection they provide, especially against swarms of loitering munitions and Russian drones.
In a recent article published by Defense One on the role of drones in the Ukrainian conflict, a local crew highlighted the capability of M2 Bradley combat vehicles to absorb attacks from unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions. Some units of the American armored vehicle suffered more than 20 hits and continued operating.
Unlike Soviet and Russian-designed infantry fighting vehicles, the M2 Bradley is continuously praised for its capabilities and performance, but above all, for being designed to offer the best protection to its crew and passengers. Although the model delivered to the Ukrainian Ground Forces is not the latest variant of the Bradley, its armor and targeting systems are considered far superior by Ukrainian crews compared to what the Russian BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3, and BTR-82 offer.
The M2A2 ODS-SA Bradleys provided by the U.S. to Ukraine represented a notable reinforcement for Ukrainian mechanized units, as the American combat vehicle marked a significant quality leap thanks to its capabilities. Its 25mm Bushmaster cannon paired with a modern fire control system has proven its worth even against the most modern tanks of the Russian Army, such as the T-90M. In terms of firepower, the Bradley also features a dual launcher for BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles.
However, the most outstanding aspect of the M2 Bradley is its protection, which is constantly appreciated by its crews and praised for allowing the vehicle to continue fighting despite suffering severe punishment from drones and loitering munitions.
The M2A2 ODS-SA variant incorporated additional protection to reinforce the turret roof and troop compartment. Additionally, the infantry fighting vehicle received ties to install the Bradley Reactive Armour Tiles (BRAT) kit, which has proven its worth on the Ukrainian battlefields.
Despite being one of the most notable combat vehicles of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, as demonstrated by the 47th Mechanized Brigade for over a year, the Bradley is not invulnerable to attacks from drones and loitering munitions, although it can absorb considerable damage. As both sides have implemented, Ukraine is already working on an additional armor kit, of the cage type, to minimize the effects of Russian drones.
The Euromaidan portal reports that this sliding screen kit for the Bradleys “…is more complex than previous ones, as it incorporates a special movable structure that can slide forward and backward from the top to the side of the vehicle depending on the combat situation. This adaptability is crucial for the Bradleys, which, like the Abrams tanks, are priority targets for Russian drone attacks…”
The Ukrainian Ground Forces have received over 300 M2A2 ODS-SA Bradleys and M7 BFISTs (artillery observation support variant), of which almost 100 have already been destroyed or damaged. Despite equipping some of the most active units, the U.S. has not yet announced any intention to replenish Ukrainian losses with new transfers.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: Ukrainian General Staff
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