BAE Systems to supply more Bradley IFVs under $190 million contract with US Army
BAE Systems has been awarded a contract to produce more M2A4 and M7A4 vehicles, an upgrade of M2A2 IFVs.(Photo: US Army National Guard)
BAE Systems has been awarded a contract modification worth over $190 million to produce more Bradley A4 IFVs, enhancing the US Army's Armoured Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT) with increased capability.
The award includes more than 70 M2A4 IFV and M7A4 fire support team vehicles. This award follows the Early Order Material awards in August and November 2022. Continued upgrades to the A4 from the M2A2 Operation Desert Storm – Situational Awareness (ODS-SA) variant is part of the army’s combat vehicle modernisation strategy to ensure force readiness of the ABCT.
The first Bradley A4 was handed over to the army in June 2020, a delay on the planned handover date of February 2020.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the US Army originally envisaged upgrading 1,860 Bradleys to A4 standard, sufficient to equip 15 ABCTs. However, current plans call for only five brigades to be equipped with Bradley A4s, one of which will be deployed to support the European Defence Initiative and an order has been placed for 491 vehicles.
Related Articles
US Army orders more Bradley A4s
US Bradley Fighting Vehicles are on the way to Ukraine
In the longer term, older Bradley M2 IFVs which are not upgraded to A4 could gradually start retiring from 2030 onwards depending on the progress of the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle competition, now dubbed XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle.
The M2A2 standard is also finding new life with other customers with Croatia having ordered vehicles and Ukraine also receiving the type.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy]()
US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy
As the US Department of Defense looks to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems to improve homeland security, the DroneHunter acquisition could point to future commercial innovation.
-
![Norway opts for Hanwha’s Chunmoo for long-range fires under $2 billion deal]()
Norway opts for Hanwha’s Chunmoo for long-range fires under $2 billion deal
The selection of Hanwha’s K239 Chunmoo long-range precision fires system, with a contract expected to be signed on 30 January, makes Norway the second European country to choose the system. It is expected an operational system will be in service within four years.
-
![Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax]()
Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax
This year has begun with main battle tanks taking the lead while orders for large logistics and support vehicles continued from last year. Additionally, two of the British Army’s most significant contracted vehicle programmes, Ajax reconnaissance vehicle and Challenger 3 tank, continued to make news in January.
