Ukraine has long pushed the West to provide heavier weapons, including tanks, to support its operations
Western nations are still hesitant due to fear of being drawn into the conflict or provoking Russia
But it seems that there have been changes in Western policy
typically on January 4, 2023, France announced the delivery to Ukraine of AMX-10RC anti-tank armored vehicles with 105mm guns
And now Germany and the United States have decided to deliver tracked armored vehicles
equipped with weapons that are supposed to be able to destroy Russian tanks.
The US Department of Defense announced on January 6, 2023, a new $3.8 billion military aid package for Ukraine, including for the first time 50 Bradley M2A2
These combat vehicles are equipped with medium and long-range firepower, capable of destroying other military vehicles, including tanks
The war in Ukraine has seen the power of artillery and tanks, and Russia seems to be dominating with its huge tank arsenal
Russia has deployed its latest generation of tanks including the T-72, T-90, and there have even been reports that the T-14 will soon enter the war
Therefore, it is very important for Ukrainian forces to have combat vehicles capable of countering these Russian tanks
The Bradley M2A2 infantry fighting vehicle is expected to create a significant advantage for Ukrainian ground forces
The M2A2 is an improved version of the Bradley family first introduced in 1988
Improvements include: enhanced vehicle survivability by restoring ammunition; internal armor protection of key components
spall liners and mounting provisions for improved vehicle smoke screening
additional armor protection including additional armor for the hull and turret
a ballistic shroud provided for the commander's back-up sight; and improved drive train and suspension
The new armor protects the Bradley against 30 mm APDS rounds and RPGs
The troop carrying number was reduced to six, eliminating the periscope position behind the driver
These upgrades raised the cumulative gross weight of the vehicle to 67,282 lb, or 30.5 tonnes
The M2A2 was qualified to be transported by the C-17 Globemaster III
M2A2s were all eventually modified to M2A2 ODS or M2A3 standard
The M2A2 Bradley has identical armament as its predecessor
including an ATK Gun Systems Company M242 25 mm Bushmaster Chain Gun with a 7.62 mm M240C machine gun
mounted coaxially to the right of the main armament
. A total of eight smoke grenade launchers are mounted on the forward part of the turret, four to each side of the main armament
The anti-tank weapon is 2 × TOW 2 anti-tank missile launchers, with 7 missiles.
The TOW 2 anti-tank guided missile system, which increased lethality and accuracy, especially under the toughest battlefield conditions
The TOW 2 is a tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided heavy anti-tank missile weapon system
For penetration of tanks protected with explosive reactive armor
The latest generation of TWO 2 missiles has a firing range of up to 4.5 km.
The maneuverability of the combat vehicle is provided by a Cummins VTA-903 engine developing 600 hp
combined with an upgraded General Dynamics Land Systems HMPT-500 transmission
The vehicle can reach a maximum road speed of 61 km/h with a maximum cruise range of 400 km
The addition of powerful combat vehicles such as the Bradley M2A2 will significantly increase the combat power of Ukraine's ground forces
This also shows that it is possible that the West will send to Ukraine heavy combat vehicles in the future, such as main battle tanks
The balance of power is shifting