Infantry Fighting Vehicle
M2 Bradley
The M2 Bradley is a US tracked infantry fighting vehicle, now built and upgraded by BAE Systems. In service since 1981, it carries a crew of three and six infantry, combining a 25 mm Bushmaster cannon with TOW anti-tank missiles, and has gained a strong reputation in Ukraine.
United States|BAE Systems (originally FMC / United Defense)Overview
Developed by FMC in the 1970s and named after General Omar N. Bradley, the vehicle entered US Army service in 1981. About 6,724 were built, including the M3 cavalry version, and many have since been rebuilt to newer standards. Each upgrade added armour and weight, from about 22.6 t on the original to around 36 t on the M2A4, which has a 675 hp engine. The M2A3 introduced digital fire control and a commander’s thermal viewer.
In the 1991 Gulf War, Bradleys reportedly destroyed more Iraqi armoured vehicles than the M1 Abrams. They also fought in Iraq after 2003, where the IED threat led to extra armour kits. The US began supplying Bradleys to Ukraine in early 2023, where crews have praised their survivability. Saudi Arabia, Croatia and Lebanon are export users, and Greece agreed in 2024 to take 164. The Army plans to replace it with the XM30 in the 2030s.
Key Specifications
Variants
The post-Gulf War upgrade that added a laser rangefinder, GPS navigation and other improvements based on Desert Storm lessons.
The digitised version with improved fire control and an independent thermal viewer for the commander.
The latest power and mobility upgrade, with a 675 hp engine, improved transmission and a weight of around 36 t.
Operators
United States
Ukraine
Saudi Arabia
Croatia
LebanonFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a Bradley Fighting Vehicle cost?
A Bradley cost about $1.1 million in 1993 dollars, or around $1.8 million adjusted to 2016. Modern M2A4 builds and upgrades cost considerably more, with estimates varying by contract.
How fast is a Bradley Fighting Vehicle?
The M2 Bradley has a road speed of about 56 km/h (35 mph) and a range of around 400 km. Its Cummins VTA-903T diesel produces 600 hp, rising to 675 hp on the M2A4.
How many Bradleys were sent to Ukraine?
Reported US deliveries of Bradleys to Ukraine range from about 190 to more than 300, depending on the source. Shipments began in early 2023, and open-source tallies list well over 150 Ukrainian Bradleys destroyed, damaged, abandoned or captured.
Is the Bradley a tank?
No. The Bradley is an infantry fighting vehicle, designed to carry six soldiers and support them in combat. It is more lightly armoured than a main battle tank but can engage tanks with its TOW missiles.
Bradley vs BMP-3: which is better?
The Bradley is generally credited with better protection, optics and crew survivability, while the BMP-3 is lighter and carries heavier guns, a 100 mm launcher and a 30 mm cannon. Ukrainian reports have praised Bradleys in several encounters with Russian armour.
Which countries use the Bradley?
The United States, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Croatia and Lebanon operate the Bradley. Saudi Arabia is the largest export user with about 400 M2A2s, and Greece agreed in 2024 to take 164 M2A2 ODS-SA vehicles.