M2 Bradley for the Greek Army: unfavorable sight – high cost

The cost of obtaining the US Army M2A2 Bradley is high. According to information from DefenseReview.gr, the unit cost, depending on the necessary works to be carried out, is $5-6 million per unit, which is a cost related to the return of mechanical, electrical and electronic parts to active service. . It should be noted that this cost does not include the cost of obtaining new ammunition and other vital needs (bibliography, simulators, stock of spare parts). The most negative point in the offer in question relates to the inability to provide technical support for the vehicle engine, whose support has been discontinued. Therefore, the US Army is implementing a large-scale program to replace engines with new generation engines (Cummins VTA903E-T675 8 cylinder). It is known that the US Army is moving towards a new TOMA, while the M2A4 Bradleys have lighter tracks, a new suspension system, a new suspension support system, new and heavier torsion bars, and a more powerful engine (installing the most powerful Cummins VTA903E-engine). T675 engine, 675 hp, from the new HMPT-800-3ECB powertrain, new transmission and new power management system.

Another major issue is the electronic parts support of the American M2A2 Bradley, which is 30 years old and also an issue due to a shortage of spare parts. In particular, these are analog electronics that production companies have stopped producing because they now produce digital electronics. In conclusion, there is a risk that the Greek Army will acquire a stock of used American Toma missiles, the support of which will be problematic (at best) or impossible. The common denominator will be higher operating costs and overall life cycle costs. The Greek Army will have to resort to a large-scale modernization program for the used American M2A2 Bradleys in order to make the material fully operational and combat-worthy without raising obstacles to material support.

The most common example is the Croatian Army, which has acquired a total of 89 M2A2 ODS, of which 67 will be operational and 22 will be used to pump out spare parts. In addition to the vehicles, Croatia will receive approximately 1,700 BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles, as well as materials, support services and training. The total cost of the commission is $196 million. In August 2023, BAE Land Systems announced that it had won an $89 million contract to refurbish M2A2 ODS Bradley (Operation Desert Storm) armored fighting vehicles bound for Croatia. In December 2020, the United States announced that it had approved the potential sale, through Foreign Military Sales to Croatia: 76 M2A2 ODS Bradley aircraft, 84 M240 machine guns, 1,103 TOW-2A RF anti-tank missiles, and 16 TOW-2A RF anti-tank missiles. M2A2 ODS Bradley model. Additional TOW-2A RF for acceptance shots, 100 TOW-2B RF anti-tank missiles, eight additional TOW-2B RF for acceptance shots, 500 TOW-2 BB-RF (Bunker Buster-Radio Frequency) anti-tank missiles, eight additional TOW-2 BB -RF to accept rounds, M-257 SGL (smoke grenade launchers), ammunition, radios, additional armor, simulators, vehicle and engine support, infrastructure materials and services, repair, material upgrade and work on the M2A3 Bradley at a potential cost of $757 million, or 9.96 One million dollars per vehicle. The final cost for the Croatian case was much lower as the M2A3 level upgrade proposal was not selected and ultimately ranged from $280 to $300 million including the initial acquisition cost and the vehicle rebuild contract from BAE Land Systems.

Another major issue is the cost of TOW anti-tank missiles, which are also outdated and of questionable technical support since they are a system design dating back to the 1980s. In addition, it has not been clarified from the American side in the Army General Staff who will do what the final number of TOMAs will be. Available. What has become known is that in the first stage ES can obtain about 80 M2A2 and in the second time (it is not specified when) another TOMA core. It should be noted that GES ordered at least 200-300 Bradleys in order to make their acquisition worthwhile and obtain a satisfactory number. In any case, the first autopsy at the beginning of next June is expected to show the condition of the American Bradley cars.