M2 Bradley: Ukrainian frontline's tank killer
Ukrainian soldiers are very satisfied with the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles they receive as part of U.S. support. They say these machines provide them with a very high degree of protection and are so well-equipped that they allow for the destruction of not only similar Russian vehicles but even their tanks.
According to the continuously updated list of equipment supplied to Ukraine by the Pentagon, over 300 M2 Bradleys have already been delivered to the front. How many of them remain in service with the Ukrainian army?
Bradleys targeted by the Russians
Based on data collected by the creators of the Oryx blog, which documents equipment losses in the war in Ukraine, it appears that almost one-third of them have been destroyed, damaged, or abandoned.
This seems significant, but the Ukrainian soldiers and analysts often emphasize that Bradleys are participating in battles on the heaviest sections of the front and frequently face opponents larger than themselves or appearing in larger groups, such as Russian tanks or columns of armoured personnel carriers.
A well-equipped infantry fighting vehicle
The M2 Bradley is an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) with high armour levels and good equipment. Its main armament consists of a 25 mm M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon with a dual-feed system, which boasts a firing rate of up to 200 rounds per minute. Additionally, the designers included space for a 7.62 mm machine gun, allowing the crew to eliminate lightly armoured targets and enemy soldiers, as well as the addition of a TOW anti-tank missile launcher.
The M2 Bradley weighs about 20,000 kilograms, but despite this, the IFV provides good mobility. On roads, it can achieve speeds of over 65 kilometres per hour, and in rough terrain, the tracked system is very useful.
Importantly, the Ukrainians are receiving ODS (Operation Desert Storm) variants, which were introduced into service in the 1990s. Compared to earlier versions, these include, among other things, better thermal sight systems. Moreover, the defenders fighting the Russians are mounting some units with additional BRAT reactive armour, which increases protection against, among other things, RPG-7 grenade launchers.
Many recordings featuring the M2 Bradley have surfaced on social media in recent months. Victorious encounters with three Russian MT-LBs and even the T-90M Proryv tank, referred to as "Putin's pride," were widely commented on.
