A new angle of an engagement previously posted by Will Killmore showing a Russian T-90 main battle tank (MBT) damaged by a Ukrainian M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). The tank was battered by 25mm cannon fire, and the vehicle clearly did not fare well in the exchange. The turret is rotating frantically, and it is unknown whether that is due to a mechanical malfunction of it is the action of a distressed gunner.

This was not in the brochure. A modern main battle tank, even a Russian one, should be resistant to medium caliber rounds. Of course, I have heard stories of lucky shots, or of older tanks succumbing to modern ammunition. A friend of mine who served as an anti-armor platoon commander in 2003 swore that the gunner on his HMMWV destroyed an Iraqi T-55 with a Mk-19 40mm grenade launcher. But, assuming the story was true, the T-55 is an antiquated design with no place on the modern battlefield, so surely a tank fielded in the last three decades featuring modern armor and systems should fare better in a fight against a weaker platform. As for the Bradley, IFVs in general were not intended to go nose to nose with tanks in a gunfight. The main gun (in theory) is intended to engage other lightly armored or unarmored vehicles, and while most are equipped with some form of ATGM, that system is generally employed defensively. And yet, in this case we see the Bradley come out swinging with its 25mm Bushmaster and coming out on top.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs Triumph Sailing, a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through adventure and fellowship on the water. Triumph Sailing just completed its big yearly event, an offshore race in the Gulf of Mexico with an all veteran crew. You can support the mission and next year's sailing season at Tri-Sail.Org.