First batch of 60 American Bradley fighting vehicles is already on its way to Ukraine
As part of military aid, the United States sent the first batch of Bradley fighting vehicles to Ukraine.
This was announced on the official website of the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service — the visual information distribution service of the US Department of Defense.
It is noted that the cargo contains more than 60 American infantry fighting vehicles. It left the shores of North Charleston, South Carolina, last week.
The agency emphasized that American BMPs would provide Ukrainian forces with additional offensive capabilities. And they will also defend the borders from the illegal invasion of russia.
"The situation in Ukraine really brought to the fore the importance of logistical support and the complexity of designing and maintaining capacity," General Jacqueline Van Ovost, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, said.
She also noted that the supply would not have been possible without the help of allies.
Photo: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
"Our support to Ukraine would not be possible without the strong relationships we have with our allies and partners, which have provided access, basing, and flight to facilitate aid delivery," Jacqueline Van Ovost emphasized.
Army Lt. Col. Rebecca D'Angelo, commander of the 841st Transportation Battalion, was overseeing the loading of the BMP. She noted that the Bradleys are very important to Ukraine as the war continues.
"The Bradley is a very powerful vehicle that we are providing to the Ukrainians. I hope it will increase their ability to advance on the battlefield and recover lost ground with equipment that matches or exceeds what the russians have," Army Lt. Col. Rebecca D'Angelo said.
Reference
Bradley is an armored combat vehicle that transports infantry in the combat zone and conducts supporting fire.
It is armed with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon. Equipped ammunition consists of 300 shells, portable — 600. There are armor-piercing sub-caliber and high-explosive fragmentation ammunition in the BMP's arsenal.
Bradley also has a TOW ATGM launcher. Additional armament is an M240C machine gun paired with a cannon.
In addition to the United States, the M2 Bradley is in service with Greece, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.
The Ukrainian military is actively learning to operate the Bradley BMPs, which are part of the US military aid package. Combat training takes place in Germany.