Croatia | Delivery of Bradley IFV
Defence Redefined
Published on 26/01/2025 at 18:44

The delivery ceremony of the first Bradley M2A2 ODS armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle to the Croatian Army took place at the military camp of the 132nd Brigade of the Croatian Army in Našice.

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia have received the first 4 of a total of 89 Bradley vehicles donated through the Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme by the United States government.

On this occasion, Defence Minister Anušić pointed out that the Republic of Croatia has achieved the target of allocating 2% of GDP to defence spending this year, which is an obligation that Croatia has undertaken as a member of NATO, and stressed that its government of the Republic of Croatia will continue to create better conditions for members of the Croatian armed forces and the system as a whole.

Cooperation between the Croatian Armed Forces and the Government of the Republic of Croatia with the US Embassy is vital to the realization of the procurement of Bradley vehicles, Black Hawk helicopters and HIMARS missile systems.

He emphasised that the arrival of the Bradley vehicles strengthens Croatia’s collective capabilities as a NATO member. He also noted that last year saw significant progress in defence cooperation, with Croatia acquiring Black Hawk helicopters and the HIMARS missile system, marking a new era in the country’s strategic alliance.

The Bradley M2A2 ODS armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicles are a donation from the United States government, stemming from an agreement signed at the end of January 2022.

Of the 89 vehicles donated as EDA, 62 vehicles have been assigned to be put into operational service, which is being carried out at the company Đuro Đaković Specijalna Vozila d.d. (ĐĐSV) in Slavonski Brod. 

In total, 44 vehicles were delivered to ĐĐSV, 8 of which were put into operational service in 2024 and which will be delivered to the 1st Armoured-Mechanized Battalion “Sokolovi” within the Guards Armoured Mechanized Brigade of the Croatian Army in January this year. The first 4 have returned to operational status and the remaining four by the end of January. 

These eight vehicles will be used to train engineers and permanent crew members on the Bradley M2A2 ODS vehicles.

Four of the eight vehicles are used in the training area of ​​the Kindrovo plant for engineer training (FLMNET – Field Level Maintenance New Equipment Training). The first cycle of training – 12 engineers – took place from 30 October to 20 December 2024 and the second cycle started on 7 January and will last until 5 March 2025. The training is carried out by certified BAE Systems trainers and a total of 48 engineers will be trained in four cycles.

The remaining four vehicles are used for the implementation of the first cycle of new operator equipment training (OPNET), which will be held from 14 January to 12 March 2025. The training begins with the receipt of the vehicle at the barracks of the 132nd Brigade of the Croatian Army in Našice and the training is also conducted by BAE Systems certified trainers.

Deliveries of the remaining Bradley M2A2 ODS Infantry Fighting Vehicles to the Falcons battalion will be phased in during 2025 and 2026, and the goal is to have all vehicles completed and operational by the end of 2026.

Also read: BAE Systems | Awarded a $440 million contract to produce additional Bradley Armored Fighting Vehicles for the US Army

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