The “dilemma” of the Bradley fighting vehicle in Ukraine can be explained in two words

No Gamechanger: The US has provided over 300 Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine, contributing significantly to Ukraine’s defense efforts. Critics argue that Western weapons should have been supplied in greater numbers to maximize impact and reduce tactical failures.

– Some experts argue that Ukraine’s ability to strategize has been hampered by the progressive nature of Western aid. However, despite billions of dollars in assistance, the frontline situation remains largely static. Continuing to rely on external support without a clear path to victory raises questions about long-term sustainability.

– Advocating for peace rather than more weapons might offer a more feasible way forward.

US Bradley boosts Ukraine’s defenses: Is more Western aid needed?

The US has provided Ukraine with more than 300 Bradley fighting vehicles. The Cold War-era Bradley, supplied to Ukraine in far greater numbers than tanks like the Abrams, has bolstered Ukraine’s defenses and earned something of a legendary status among Ukrainian fighters.

Now critics of the slow and gradual way the US has provided military aid to Ukraine point to the Bradley’s success as an example of what can be achieved when Western weapons are equipped in greater quantity.

“How Western Ukraine is partner supplied arms, often in small numbers and after significant delays, were heavily criticized throughout the war’, Sinead Baker he wrote for Business Insider. “Having enough weaponry is important to the military because it allows them to use those weapons in a more flexible way. It means being able to put weapons in risky situations where they could make big gains, and if one is lost, it’s not a major tactical and public relations disaster.”

Said it more clearly, what Baker means is that if Ukraine had more Western weapons, it wouldn’t be such a big deal when those systems and the soldiers operating those systems were destroyed; the military could absorb the loss more easily and the public would be less likely to care. What Baker ignores are the many billions in weapons, aid and money already given to Ukraine, and the many thousands of soldiers already destroyed in a conflict that has long simmered on hard lines. Basically, what Baker is saying, almost three years after the conflict began, is: give us a little more and we’ve got this thing. More money. More weapons. More carnage.

The piece refuted the American wisdom to provide smaller amounts of technical equipment, advocating instead for larger amounts of simpler and weaker equipment, citing Bradley as an example. Ukrainian Bradleys have been used to fight against Russian infantry, bunkers, troop carriers, drones and tanks. Given the size of the Ukrainian Bradley fleet, the tank was used liberally – and successfully.

Bradley cites “experts” for criticizing “the way many of Ukraine’s partners are giving aid.” Specifically, how “weapons often arrive after months of debate (in which Russia can prepare), in small numbers and in packages that do not give Ukraine a clear picture or certainty of future deliveries.” The result is that “Ukrainian soldiers are often unable to develop long-term strategies.”

Well, my two cents would be that if you are unable to provide your own means of defense and are not properly equipped to defend yourself or cannot develop long term strategies despite receiving billions and billions dollars – worth of help, then you may want to aggressively pursue peace.

The idea that Ukraine it is a delivery of arms further from penetrating, regaining territory, or improving its position to better sue for peace, it seems to be an illusion. Nothing in the last two and a half years of fighting suggests that Ukraine will substantially improve its position. Instead of advocating for more guns, expenses of more wealth and the shedding of more blood, Ukraine should plead for an end to the conflict.

About the Author: Defense Expert Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total articles on issues involving global business. A lawyer, pilot, guitarist and professional minor hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a trainee pilot but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

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