01-04-2023, 07:29 PM
I think any reluctance to send Bradley IFVs is based on logistics and effectiveness, not a fear of Russian response. After all, the M113s that we sent were also IFVs, just older ones. The logistics train of any new weapon, particularly one as physically large as a Bradley, isn't negligible. It's main gun also fires ammunition that isn't already in common use by Ukraine. The other question is how well the Bradleys will fit the Ukraine's current needs.
If Ukraine is really going towards a NATO standard striking force, the Bradleys would beat the BMP-1s and BMP-2s for sure. We just have to convince the Ukrainian troops to ride inside the vehicle, not on top :-). The question is whether this is what they need "most" at the moment. I can't answer that, but hopefully the "Adults" in Ukraine and the US brain trust can.
If Ukraine is really going towards a NATO standard striking force, the Bradleys would beat the BMP-1s and BMP-2s for sure. We just have to convince the Ukrainian troops to ride inside the vehicle, not on top :-). The question is whether this is what they need "most" at the moment. I can't answer that, but hopefully the "Adults" in Ukraine and the US brain trust can.