Ukraine’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle Dilemma

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Key Points: The M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle has proven its worth in Ukraine, where it’s being used effectively in the Donbas region against Russian forces.

-Despite initial concerns about its survivability and performance in harsh conditions, the Bradley has excelled as both a troop carrier and a light tank.

-Ukrainian forces have praised its speed, firepower, and ability to destroy Russian tanks and fortified positions.

-Equipped with a 25mm Bushmaster chain gun, TOW missiles, and upgrades like GPS and enhanced vision systems, the Bradley has become an integral part of Ukraine’s fight, demonstrating that age is not a barrier to effectiveness in modern combat.

M2 Bradley Shines in Ukraine: A Combat Vehicle That Still Dominates

Is the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle too old and ready for retirement?

Not if you’re part of the Ukrainian Army fighting the Russians in the Donbas Region.

Ukrainian soldiers are giving the Bradley Fighting Vehicle rave reviews for its firepower, speed, mobility, and surprising survivability against larger Russian tanks and armored personnel carriers.

The Ukrainians were quickly trained and up to speed on the Bradley, and the old battle wagon was making a difference against the Russians.

Ukrainian soldiers are using the Bradley not only to bring troops to the battlefield but also as a light tank. This has been a pleasant surprise for the U.S. Army and the Pentagon. It was conceivable that the Bradley would be too fragile and finicky for the rigors of the war in Ukraine.

For example, the muddy summer battlefields could have swallowed the tracks on the infantry fighting vehicle, freezing it in place for easy pickings from enemy gunners.

Also, its lighter armor could have been a liability against Russian anti-tank missiles and drones.

To be sure, the Ukrainians have lost more than a few Bradleys to enemy fire, but the combat vehicle must be graded a success so far.

Why Is the Bradley So Good?

As Business Insider reported on July 13, “the capabilities that it brings in terms of speed, its ability to keep up with the tanks, your ability to move infantry squads in a protected manner across the battlefield very quickly, and its fairly robust armor package — along with the capabilities of the weapons systems on there — make it a very effective infantry fighting vehicle.”

The United States has sent around 300 Bradleys to Ukraine as part of a series of assistance packages it announced in 2023. First introduced in 1983, the Bradley has been a mainstay of the U.S. Army’s mechanized forces for decades. It was a star performer in Operation Desert Storm and a key contributor during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003.

But it wasn’t primarily a stand-out performer during the counter-insurgency fight post-Saddam Hussein because the Bradley was designed more for armored force-on-force warfare against the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

During the Iraqi insurgency, the battle became a test of wills for Bradley operators to avoid roadside bombs, mines, and other improvised explosive devices.

Making the Russian Army Pay

That is why it is so gratifying to see the Ukrainians take the fight to the Russian armored forces in their Bradleys.

The fighting vehicle can move between the trenches, destroy enemy bunkers and emplacements, transport an infantry squad to protective cover, and scout out where the Russians are hiding.

More Details on the Bradley IFV

Bradleys are faster than they look—they can travel at 40 miles per hour on roads. The main armament is a 25mm M242 chain gun. This Bushmaster gun is surprisingly powerful, and the Russians have learned to avoid it or pay the price. The Bradley has a three-man crew and can carry six soldiers in the rear.

Another option for the Ukrainians is to use the TOW missile launcher on board with a range of around two miles and the extra 7.62mm machine gun to eliminate troops in the open. There are ports in the Bradley that allow soldiers inside to fire their M4s at the enemy.

Upgrades Make It More Lethal

According to Military.com, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle A2 ODS upgrade has an “eye-safe laser rangefinder, global positioning, and navigation systems, and an enhanced driver’s vision device.” These improvements were made after battlefield recommendations from soldiers who served in Operation Desert Storm.

My experience with the Bradley is limited since I was a light infantry soldier—we had only up-armored Humvees in my unit—but I definitely saw the Bradley in action. I was always surprised by its speed and size. It doesn’t look that big in person, and the soldiers must really have to pack in tight to fit inside.

My U.S. Army Experience: Do Troops Need to Be ‘Brainwashed’ to Use the Bradley?

When I enlisted in the Army in 1999, my drill sergeants used to tell us that they had to “brainwash” soldiers to ride in the Bradley. Some personnel were scared that the Bradley could not sustain a hit from a tank and would burst into flames, scorching the people inside and leading to untimely deaths.

So far, the Ukrainians haven’t complained about that, so it’s good to see that the friendly forces are using the Bradley to full effect. Look for the United States to send more infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine.

The U.S. Army has been watching closely to see which combat vehicle platforms can operate effectively there, and the Bradley deserves a high grade. It might be “too old” for some, but the age is right for Ukraine.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.