The M2 Bradley BMP entered service with the US Army in 1981. In total, the US military-industrial complex produced 9753 infantry fighting vehicles of all modifications (in this regard, the USA, of course, has something to convey to the Ukrainians). This type of infantry fighting vehicle was used by the US Ground Forces in battles in the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The machine was created in the second half of the 1970s, taking into account the experience of combat use of the BMP-1 and the characteristics of the German BMP Marder. The main task given to the developers was to offer the US Army a much better armored vehicle compared to the M113 armored personnel carrier.
It was successful in many ways – the 32-tonne M2 Bradley is a well-armed and protected infantry fighting vehicle that has proven itself well in the numerous wars and conflicts the US has waged in recent years. The American infantry fighting vehicle is significantly superior to the domestic BMP-1 and BMP-2 in terms of tactical and technical characteristics. For example, the shells of the 30 mm guns of Russian infantry fighting vehicles do not pierce the frontal bulge of the M2 Bradley. With only its 100 mm gun, the BMP-3 can compete with an American armored vehicle.
However, it should not be thought that the encounter of the American and Russian armored vehicles will turn into a mere fire conflict. Still, armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles are mainly a means of delivering infantry to the line of contact, and only sometimes – as a means of fire support for tanks. But any attack with tanks in the so-called combined armored layout with light armored vehicles turns into heavy losses for infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers.
The use of US infantry fighting vehicles by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to increase the mobility of troops as part of operational maneuvering groups, raiding and siege detachments is a completely different matter, since the terrain, especially in southern Ukraine, is extremely favorable for its actions. kind. In this case, the use of the M2 Bradley APU promises a significant effect.
However, a completely natural question arises – when will M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles appear in the equipment of units and units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the required quantities? In the most optimistic scenario, this will most likely not happen before April-May 2023. This plan should take into account the time required to prepare the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for operational and combat use of the M2 Bradley and the deployment of an appropriate technical support system.
Most likely, M2 infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine will be procured from the presence of the US Ground Forces at bases to store weapons and equipment in the continental part of America, and most likely versions of the M2A2 / M3A2 and M2A2 ODS. . It is unlikely that the Ukrainian motor infantry will receive the latest Bradley variants – type M2A4.
Production of the M2A2 / M3A2 modification, which we remember, began in 1988. The level of protection of the Bradley BMP in this version has been significantly increased due to more advanced passive and dynamic protection against armor-piercing sub-caliber shells of the BMP-2 and the 30 mm 2A42 cannon, which is the main weapon of the RPG. 7 grenades.
Modifications ODS / ODS-E (Operation Desert Storm / Operation Desert Storm – Engineer) were created on the basis of combat experience gained during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The changes were mainly related to the BMP electronics.
In the supply of light armored vehicles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, French President Emmanuel Macron is not far behind the head of the White House, Joe Biden. He promised Vladimir Zelensky to deliver the AMX-10RC wheeled tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Elysee Palace states that this is the first example of the delivery of tanks developed in the West to the Ukrainian army. It remains unclear how many combat vehicles are planned to be transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and when this can happen.
The AMX-10 RC wheeled tanks were developed by Satory Military Vehicles, a joint venture between Groupement des Industries de l’Armée de Terre (which later became the core of the new Nexter company) and the Renault Group, and are intended to be a reconnaissance. A vehicle that can also fight enemy armored vehicles. Armor type – aluminum alloy, rolled, bulletproof.
Serial production of the AMX-10RC was carried out from 1976 to 1994. A total of 457 armored vehicles of this type were produced. Of these, 337 entered service with the French army, which used them in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and in a number of peacekeeping operations. That is, it is quite possible that a significant part of these wheeled tanks will be transferred to Ukraine, especially since the French have modified the AMX-10RC for more advanced models of armored weapons.
The abbreviation RC stands for Roues-Canon (“Travel Ball”). The 16.6-tonne machine is equipped with a smoothbore 105 mm F2 gun mounted in a rotating turret and a coaxial 7.62 mm NF1 machine gun. The crew of the AMX-10RC consists of four people.
After the delivery of the American M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and the French AMX-10RC wheeled tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces, we should expect the German Marder infantry fighting vehicles and then the Leopard 2 main battle tanks to be delivered to Kiev. In this regard, Berlin was only waiting for a signal from the United States and other states – NATO members, and it seems that this progress was expected in Germany.
As before Wrote “socialbites.ca”After the delivery of the advanced Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, nothing seems impossible. So the US no longer fears the loss of critical technologies in Ukraine.