M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle
WesternInfantry Fighting Vehicle
The M2 Bradley is an American infantry fighting vehicle armed with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, TOW anti-tank missiles, and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. Its combination of firepower, armor, and troop-carrying capacity (6 infantrymen) makes it a versatile platform. The US delivered over 100 Bradleys to Ukraine in early 2023, significantly upgrading Ukrainian mechanized infantry capabilities.
Primary Role
Infantry support and transport, flanking maneuvers, light armor engagement, close-quarters combat with mechanized infantry
First documented use in Ukraine: 2023-06-04
Specifications
| Main armament | 25mm M242 Bushmaster autocannon |
| Anti-tank | BGM-71 TOW-2 missiles (2-shot launcher) |
| Armor | Aluminum/steel composite + ERA upgrades |
| Crew | 3 (commander, gunner, driver) |
| Capacity | 6 passengers |
| Speed (road) | 61 km/h |
| Country | United States |
✓ Strengths
- •25mm gun effective against Russian BMPs, APCs, and light armor
- •TOW missiles can defeat T-72/T-80 tanks via side/rear shots
- •Better protected than Soviet-era BMP-1/BMP-2
- •Night-vision and thermal sights superior to Russian equivalents
- •Carries full infantry squad — enables mobile combined arms
⚠ Limitations
- •Vulnerable to Russian ATGMs (Kornet) and mines
- •Complex to maintain — requires Western spare parts
- •Heavier than BMP — more difficult to cross obstacles
- •Not impervious to 30mm autocannons of Russian BMPs at close range
Notable Use
During Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive near Robotyne and Orikhiv, Ukrainian Bradley crews filmed defeating numerous Russian BMP-2s and T-72s, demonstrating the vehicle's effectiveness. However, several Bradleys were also lost to Russian mines and ATGMs in dense minefield belts.
Ukraine War Context
The US approved 109 M2 Bradleys for Ukraine in January 2023 as part of a major armored vehicle package. They were used in the 2023 Summer Counteroffensive alongside Leopard 2 and Challenger 2 tanks. Ukraine also received Bradley-based M7 BFIST fire support vehicles.