Croatia begins live fire training on US-supplied M2A2 Bradley fighting vehicles to increase combat readiness.

As reported by the Croatian Ministry of Defense on March 7, 2025, the Croatian Army’s 1st Armoured Mechanised Battalion, nicknamed Sokolovi, conducted live-fire exercises with US-supplied M2A2 ODS Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles at the Gašinci Military Training Grounds near Đakovo. These exercises were part of a multi-week training cycle involving daytime and nighttime firing. The Croatian crews operated the vehicles using the 25x137 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun and the 7.62x51 mm M240 coaxial machine gun. According to information released by the Croatian Ministry of Defence, accuracy was maintained under both lighting conditions.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

As demonstrated in Ukraine, the Bradley's M242 Bushmaster chain gun is able to engage a range of targets, including Soviet-designed BMPs and modern Russian T-90M tanks. (Picture source: Croatian MoD)

The training followed the delivery of the first four M2A2 ODS Bradley vehicles to Croatia on January 14, 2025. These vehicles were received at the Našić barracks as part of a $196.4 million acquisition agreement, which includes a $51.2 million contribution from the United States. A further four vehicles were scheduled to arrive by the end of January. The program includes a total of 89 vehicles, with deliveries planned to conclude by 2026. The allocation comprises 62 vehicles for operational units, primarily for the Sokolovi Battalion of the Guards Armored Mechanized Brigade, five vehicles for training, and the remaining vehicles intended for spare parts.

The vehicles provided to Croatia are based on the baseline M2A2 ODS variant, which lacks some systems included in the more advanced ODS-SA version, such as second-generation forward-looking infrared sensors and the Driver’s Vision Enhancer. Nonetheless, Croatian Bradleys have undergone refurbishments at the Đuro Đaković facility. These include overhauls of drivetrains, integration of weapon systems, application of protective coatings, and upgrades to engines, transmissions, electronic components, and communication systems. TOW anti-tank missile launchers were also installed to enhance anti-armor capability.

Croatia initiated the Bradley procurement program in 2022 to replace its BVP M-80 infantry fighting vehicles. The BVP M-80, a Yugoslav-designed vehicle developed in the 1970s, entered service in 1979 following the completion of its prototype in 1974. It is based on a BMP-1-style design and features a 20mm M-55 autocannon, a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, and a launcher for 9M14 Malyutka anti-tank missiles. It has a three-person crew and can carry seven dismounted troops. Powered initially by a 260-horsepower French engine and later by a 320-horsepower Daimler-Benz engine in the M-80A version, it can reach 65 km/h on land and 8 km/h in water, with a range of approximately 500 kilometers.

The M2 Bradley was developed in the United States during the Cold War to address the Soviet BMP series. Introduced in the early 1980s, the M2 IFV and M3 CFV variants were designed to transport infantry while operating alongside M1 Abrams main battle tanks. The vehicles are armed with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster autocannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and TOW anti-tank missiles. The ODS-SA variant features upgraded armor to withstand 30mm armor-piercing ammunition and RPGs, a 600-horsepower engine, GPS-based navigation, 360-degree camera coverage, an eye-safe laser rangefinder, and a combat identification system. These systems are intended to improve performance in close-quarters and urban combat. In recent conflicts, including in Ukraine, Bradleys have been used to engage a range of targets, including Soviet-designed BMPs and modern T-90M tanks.

The delivery of Bradleys is part of Croatia’s broader military modernization plan, which also includes other major acquisitions. In April 2024, Croatia received the first six of twelve Dassault Rafale multirole fighters from France to replace its MiG-21s, with the remaining six expected by 2025. The country is also pursuing the acquisition of up to 50 Leopard 2A8 tanks from Germany, while donating M-84 tanks, RAK-SA-12 multiple launch rocket systems, and two AN-32B transport aircraft to Ukraine. Additionally, the procurement of eight U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) is underway. These programs are part of Croatia’s alignment with NATO standards and are supported by long-term cooperation with the United States, including equipment transfers and bilateral programs such as the Minnesota–Croatia National Guard Partnership.