The Bradley M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle has proved an effective tank killer in Ukraine, writes Craig Allen
Recent footage from Avdiivka in northeastern Ukraine showed a pair of US-supplied Bradley M2 IFVs disabling a Russian T-90M with their 25mm main armament. This example of an IFV turned tankkiller is not unprecedented, as footage from earlier in the conflict showed a Ukrainian BTR-4 engaging a T72-B3 with its 30mm cannon. Reports from Iraq also confirmed the Bradley 25mm gun was effective against the thinner side armour of Russian tanks.
Interestingly, the Ukrainian Bradley crew appears to have been coming to the aid of frontline infantry who were threatened by the Russian tank. This kind of direct infantry support against armour is a new role for the Bradleys, which have proved popular with their Ukrainian crews due to their high levels of protection. The accuracy of the Bradley's digital targeting systems undoubtedly played a role in the success of this encounter. The gunner claimed that after running out of AP rounds he was able to switch to targeting the tank's optics and was able to blind the tank, which crashed into a tree and was abandoned. That the Bradley has proven a success in Ukrain…
