UPDATE: I originally posted this on my other Substack in 2024
I have tried to paint up the 6 mm Bradley vehicles in the digital camo the Ukrainians favour. These formidable machines are gaining a very positive reputation in Ukraine.
First officially deployed in the 1981, the M2/M3 Bradley (the M2 is the infantry carrier and the M3 a recon-only variant) went through a long, torturous development circle that cost the American tax payer over a billion dollars, which at the time was considerable (that’s billion…with a B). The episode become so infamous it was eventually turned into a film called ‘Pentagon Wars’ with Kaiser Grammar as a self-serving general who was trying to get the vehicle deployed despite its many problems.
However, fast forward to 2024 and the Bradley is receiving nothing but praise from Ukraine soldiers who have used it and been fighting alongside them. Over 300 of these vehicles have been given to Ukraine and the majority are deployed with the now veteran fighters of the 47th brigade.
The praise centres on 2 x main aspects. The Bradley’s firepower and its survivability.
Firepower on the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) comes from the 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun and its attached twin TOW launchers. Both of these have proven deadly on Ukraine’s battlefields. The TOW (TOW stands for "Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missile”) have been able to knockout pretty much any Russian armoured vehicle at range, whilst the Bushmasters firepower has proven deadly even to main battle tanks. A video circulated in January 2024 showing a Bradley besting a T-90M tank with directed fire,
The survivability comes from the vehicles excellent defence armour and systems. Crews have consistently praised the Bradley’s ability to take damage and remain operational, or at the very least, keep the crew alive so they can evacuate.
Sources:
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/33362
https://www.forbes.com/sites/vikrammittal/2024/05/17/ukraine-is-receiving-more-m2-bradleys-and-m113s-from-the-us/
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-made-bradley-destroys-russian-carrier-point-blank-range-video-2024-6
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/military-bradley-fighting-vehicles-ukraine/
https://www.wearethemighty.com/tactical/analysis-of-the-bradley-in-ukraine/
https://www.businessinsider.com/ukrainian-bradley-crew-describes-how-beat-russian-t-90m-tank-2
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