Aging Armor, Rising Costs: Does Donating Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine Make Sense?

The True Cost of Keeping a Gulf War-Era Bradley vs. Donating to Ukraine

As the U.S. moves forward with next-generation armored fighting vehicles (AFVs), questions arise about the financial viability of maintaining older systems like the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV). The Bradley, a staple of the Gulf War, remains in service, but its maintenance costs beg the question: Is it more cost-effective to keep these aging vehicles or donate them to Ukraine, where they can still serve a strategic purpose?

The Cost of Keeping a Gulf War-Era Bradley

Maintaining a decades-old Bradley Fighting Vehicle is no small expense. Reports indicate:

Per-mile costs: Estimated higher than the $58 per mile spent on older M113 vehicles (Defense Media Network).

Repair expenses: Traditional repairs can run up to $25,000 per component, though newer methods can reduce that to $1,000 (Army Times).

Annual maintenance budget: The U.S. Army spends approximately $10.7 million per year per Bradley unit (CBO).

Given these figures, the long-term costs of keeping an aging fleet operational are significant, especially as the U.S. transitions to the upcoming Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), designed to replace the Bradley.

The Case for Donating Bradleys to Ukraine

Instead of sustaining high costs to maintain or upgrade older models, the U.S. began transferring Bradleys to Ukraine in January 2023, where they continue to play a key role in countering Russian aggression. With newer AFVs in development, providing Ukraine with surplus Bradleys offers several advantages:

1. Strategic Utility: Ukraine can immediately deploy these vehicles, extending their operational life where they are most needed. Gulf War generation Bradleys were designed to destroy Soviet Union troops, armor. Ukraine is proving this true as the older generation Bradleys are wreaking havoc across the frontlines.

2. Cost Savings: Donating excess units eliminates long-term maintenance and storage expenses.

3. Production Transition: With OMFV development underway, redirecting funds toward modernized, cost-efficient AFVs benefits U.S. defense strategy.

M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle and drone support vs Russian T-90 MBT.

Verdict: Donate or Maintain?

The numbers speak for themselves—keeping outdated Bradleys in service is costly, while donating them provides strategic and economic benefits. Given the high maintenance price tag, shifting these assets to Ukraine is a win-win for both U.S. military modernization and global security efforts.

As the battlefield evolves, so too must military investments. With new-generation AFVs in the pipeline, reallocating resources from aging Bradleys to next-gen military tech is not just practical—it’s necessary.

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