Introduction of the Modified Bradley
Recent images have emerged online showcasing an M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle in Russia, modified with a Soviet-made 2A72 30-millimeter cannon, which replaces its original Bushmaster M242 25-millimeter gun. The condition of the vehicle appears to be well-maintained, suggesting it is likely a unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces that has been captured by Russian forces.
The intentions behind this modification remain ambiguous. It could serve various purposes such as combat readiness, military testing, or other strategic aims. Throughout Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, there have been numerous examples of unorthodox modifications made to armored vehicles.
Ownership and Current Location
Details regarding the ownership and exact location of the modified Bradley are limited. However, there are indications that it might be stored in a military repository among other tactical vehicles. This raises questions about how many of these captured vehicles Russia has in its inventory.
Estimates suggest that Ukraine fields over 300 Bradleys in its military capabilities, all supplied by the United States as a countermeasure to Russian aggression. According to sources last June, the war-torn nation had already lost more than 170 vehicles due to the ongoing conflict, with a number of them captured by Russian troops.
The Shipunov 2A72 Cannon Specifications
The Shipunov 2A72 cannon, introduced by the former state-owned defense firm Tulamashzavod in the 1970s, is a lighter derivative of the Shipunov 2A42 cannon. This type of artillery is commonly mounted on various vehicles from the Cold War era, and continues to be used across many contemporary military platforms in Russia, including ground vehicles, helicopters, and naval systems.
Interestingly, some versions of the 2A72 are also utilized by Ukraine, NATO, and the Chinese military. The 2A42 variation measures around 3 meters (approximately 10 feet) in length and weighs 105 kilograms (231 pounds), depending on its specifications. It boasts a firing rate of up to 330 rounds per minute, with a muzzle velocity reaching 900 meters (2,953 feet) per second, and an effective range of about 2,500 meters (8,202 feet).
