Greece rejects U.S. Bradley vehicles due to poor condition
Greece refused to accept a batch of American M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles it was supposed to receive in exchange for the armaments provided to Ukraine. According to the military, the cars are in unsatisfactory technical condition, and refurbishing them would cost too much.
Greece is actively involved in military aid to Ukraine, supporting it in defending against aggression. The first deliveries included a batch of BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Additionally, Greece supplied the multipurpose armoured personnel carrier M113, enhancing Ukraine's defence capabilities.
The equipment delivery was arranged with the United States. In exchange for the provided armaments, Greece was supposed to receive 62 M2A2 Bradley ODS-SA infantry fighting vehicles for free under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program of the U.S. Department of Defense. Another 102 cars were to be purchased at attractive prices from BAE Systems.
Greeks criticize received equipment
As reported by the Greek service Kathimerini, at the beginning of June, a Greek military delegation visited the United States and selected 164 M2A2 Bradley ODS-SA vehicles, which were to be accepted by the army. Ultimately, all models were expected to be upgraded to the M2A3 or A4 level.
After inspecting the selected vehicles, the Greek military stated that the offered vehicles were in unsatisfactory technical condition and refused to accept the armament. The military determined that refurbishing the equipment would require too much money.
What does the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle offer?
The M2A2 Bradley is an infantry fighting vehicle weighing 27,000 kilograms. Its design allows for the installation of a special reactive armour called BRAT. The advanced protection system effectively enhances the vehicle's resistance to attacks using handheld anti-tank weapons, particularly those with shaped charges. Furthermore, the BRAT armour can stop warheads, often used in drones.
The front armour of the M2A2 Bradley is exceptionally durable. It can withstand fire from 30-millimetre automatic cannons. The sides of the vehicle are also robustly protected—they are resistant to bullets fired from 14.5-millimetre heavy machine guns.
Thanks to such solutions, the M2A2 Bradley IFV provides high protection for its three-member crew and six-member dismounted infantry. However, protection is not the only strength of this vehicle. Its armament allows it to combat a wide range of targets. The primary weapon is the M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon, with a calibre of 25 millimetres. It can fire armour-piercing and high-explosive incendiary ammunition, with an effective range of up to two kilometres.
The ODS version is also worth mentioning, as it is an upgrade of the model from the 1980s. This variant features modern optoelectronics, including a higher-resolution thermal imaging camera and a new laser range finder. Thanks to these improvements, the M2A2 Bradley ODS is even more effective on the battlefield.
