The luck of the Irish: No Bradley AFVs, but team still won US Army's Bradley competition

The Irish army may not have any Bradley armoured reconnaissance vehicles, but that didn't stop it from winning a prestigious contest run by the US Army – with the Bradley.

Irish recce units use the Mowag Piranha – a wheeled vehicle – but the Bradley category in the 2026 Sullivan Cup, held at Fort Benning, saw them quickly adapt to the US tracked armoured fighting vehicle.

"Today, the Defence Forces Cavalry Corps Team (Callsign Shamrock 1) took home first place in the Bradley category in the 2026 Sullivan Cup," the Irish army posted on X.

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A multi-skilled event

"The Defence Forces Cavalry Corps team competed in the 2026 Sullivan Cup, hosted in Fort Benning, GA, USA. The purpose of the Sullivan Cup is to identify and recognise the most skilled armoured vehicle crews internationally."

The contest saw the teams evaluated on:

:: Gunnery live-fire lanes by day and night

:: Vehicle maintenance

:: Crew knowledge

:: Call for fire

:: AFV recognition

:: Medical lanes

:: Physical fitness challenges

The Irish army pointed out how the team had a two-week window to train up in theatre on the Bradley fighting vehicle – having never used the platform before.

Just two weeks' training?

The news on X drew some interesting responses, with one person posting: "I'm sorry, just so I have this right, did I understand it right when you said we trained for two weeks in this vehicle then went into the competition and ****ing won it??????"

Another respondent posted: "Tbf, it sounds like they did well. It also goes into fitness and tactics. Our smaller numbers possibly give Ireland an advantage in some ways. Either way, they still won."

"I just can't grasp the whole we smashed it in two weeks and went on to win. Taking nothing from the lads' capabilities but that timeline is very suss," posted another.

Someone else replied: "It seems a bunch of other countries also required the training. Perhaps we generally send our best, from a limited number of well-trained soldiers.

"This isn't meant as a dig at anyone else, but the Irish army seems like a better career choice."

What is the US Army's Sullivan Cup?

The Sullivan Cup is held every other year at Fort Benning in Georgia to rigorously test and evaluate the most lethal tank and armoured fighting vehicle crews from across the US Army's armour branch and international partners.

The Sullivan Cup is named in honour of retired General Gordon R Sullivan, who was an armour officer for 36 years, serving in a multitude of commands and culminating as the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Army and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

To be crowned the most lethal, crews must be aggressive, competent, physically fit and decisive warfighters.

The several events that make up the contest pit crews against each other in head-to-head competition where only one can come out on top.

Command Sergeant Major Ryan W Roush of the US Army Armor School explained: "Competitions like the Sullivan Cup serve to recognise excellence throughout the force and across the armour branch.

"More importantly, they highlight the importance of mastering the fundamentals that we must preserve as a fighting force to maintain a lethal edge over our adversaries.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this year's Sullivan Cup, and to see the best tank and armoured fighting vehicle crews from across the world exhibit their lethality and excellence in the spirit of competition."