Croatia to receive Bradley M2A2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles from U.S. government.

The U.S. Government plans to donate almost 60 Bradley M2A2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles in ODS (Operation Desert Storm) configuration to Croatia, according to a statement issued by Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krsticevic, Kamenjar.com reports.

M2A2 Bradley IFV (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

“The United States has accepted an offer to donate 60 Bradley fighting vehicles to complete heavy infantry battalion with another 24 vehicles for spares,” Krsticevic said during the international defense conference of Jutarnji List and the Ministry of Defense entitled “The future of the Croatian defense industry and new technologies”. The Defense Minister also added that Croatia will need to invest between 2 and 5 million USD per vehicle in refreshing and later modernizing them. Currently, the excess Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles have in long-term storage at the U.S. Army.

The minister also confirmed that Croatia has agreed to participate in the new ERIP, a State Department program through which the US assists its allies in the transition from eastern to western military technology. Through ERIP, Croatia receives $ 25 million for the Bradley program. With the implementation of this project, Croatia would also fulfill the program of capacity building within NATO.

BAE Systems has acted as the manufacturer and systems integrator of the Bradley program for over 30 years, including conducting various upgrades based on customer needs and mission requirements.

The M2A2 Bradley AIFV (Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle) was introduced in the U.S. Army in 1988, it's an improved version of the standard vehicle Bradley M2A1. The improvements include the following: enhanced vehicle survivability by restoring ammunition; internal armor protection of key components; spall liners and mounting provisions for improved vehicle smoke screening; additional armor protection including additional armor for the hull and turret; a ballistic shroud provided for the commander's back-up sight; and improved drive train and suspension.