Ukraine's 47th brigade praises M2 Bradley as a battle asset
The 47th Mechanized Brigade Ukrainians were interviewed about the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. They confirmed previous opinions about these machines: Due to their durability and equipment, the American "beasts" have become invaluable to the Ukrainian army.
The 47th Mechanized Brigade is currently deployed in the Sumy region, but it has also participated in battles on other fronts. It is highly trained and very well-equipped, including American equipment such as M1A1 Abrams tanks and the aforementioned M2 Bradley.
M2 Bradley in Ukraine
Overall, the Ukrainian army has received more than 300 M2 Bradleys. According to data from the creators of the Oryx blog, which documents equipment losses on both sides of the ongoing war, the Russians have eliminated (destroyed, damaged, or captured) just over 100 of them. This is partly because Ukrainians also use American IFVs on the most challenging front lines (previously, for example, near Avdiivka or now in the Kursk region in Russia).
Ukrainians from the 47th Mechanized Brigade emphasise that the M2 Bradley offers exceptional durability, and the crew feels safe. They also highlight the spacious interior, designed to accommodate eight infantry soldiers, although more people can be transported in exceptional situations (e.g., during evacuation missions).
Another clearly emphasised advantage of the M2 Bradley is its strong firepower. American designers have equipped it with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon (with a firing rate of up to 200 rounds per minute), a 7.62mm machine gun and an anti-tank missile launcher. Thanks to this, according to the Ukrainians, the M2 Bradley can compete not only with IFVs but even with Russian tanks.
One of the Ukrainian soldiers says, "The M2 Bradley performs very, very well. We take infantry to positions, evacuate many people, and save many lives."
One of the most durable infantry fighting vehicles in the world
The M2 Bradley has steel, aluminium, and composite armour, an anti-spall lining, and a built-in fire suppression system. It can also be reinforced with BRAT (Bradley Reactive Armour Tiles) packages, which further increase its protection against RPG-7 grenade launchers. Considering the realities of the war with Russia, M2 Bradleys used in Ukraine are often modified with "grilles" or meshes designed to protect against FPV drones.
According to the manufacturer's specifications, the M2 Bradley can reach speeds up to about 60 km/h, and Ukrainian soldiers from the 47th Mechanized Brigade confirm this. Considering the vehicle's strong armour and solid equipment, they believe this is a very good result.
