Indian Army Chief - "CBRN Weapons Threat from Non-State Actors Becoming Reality"

Press Information Bureau, India

Image Attribute: Indian Army's Chief General Bipin Rawat inaugurated a workshop and exhibition of CBRN defense technologies at DRDO. Source: Press Trust of India

India's Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat inaugurated a workshop and an Exhibition on CBRN Defence Technologies to showcase the Products and Technologies developed towards CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) threats at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi. 

Speaking on the occasion General Rawat complimented DRDO and said CBRN threat is becoming a reality, particularly from the “non-state actors” and he is sure that DRDO’s long-term perspective plan in conjunction and integrated perspective plan of the services must encompass development of mitigation of technologies against such CBRN threats.

"The threat of the use of CBRN weapons is indeed becoming a reality, particularly as a threat from non-state actors. Use of CBRN weapons could jeopardize life and property and take a long time to recover," General Bipin Rawat

General Rawat also said that unlike the conventional military, CBRN combat requires operations in a "highly unpredictable" environment, where the adversaries may use "asymmetrical" means to counter India. 

Chairman DRDO and Secretary Department of Defence R&D Dr. S Christopher handed over the CBRN Suit MK-V & CBRN First Aid Kit and Remote Radiation Monitoring and Transmission System (RRMTS) at the inauguration. The CBRN Training Manuals and Military Explosives Handling Guidelines were also released. Hiranyagarbha - the Terrabit Transport Cross Connect, a trusted network router & Army Air Defence Deployment Simulator System (A2D2S2) were also unveiled.

Dr. Shashi Bala Singh, Director General (Life Sciences) at DRDO in her welcome address highlighted the contributions of DRDO to the National CBRN Defence Preparedness and Capacity Building and said that more than 68 developed products related to CBRN by DRDO are already inducted and 25 more have been realized and ready for induction. She further said that this has been made possible due to a large participation of private sector with more than 50 industry partners.

The aim of the workshop is to further enhance the level of preparedness and strengthen the partnership among the stakeholders. Besides DRDO, the workshop has the participation from the three Services, Ordnance Factory Board, National Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force, Min of Home Affairs, Central Armed Police Forces, SPG, National Security Guard and several other government/security agencies, etc. The event provides an opportunity for the stakeholders to interact and understand the requirements of each other and respond in a way to bring coherence in the system that will eventually strengthen their partnerships and enhance the National preparedness level.

The DRDO has trained more than 4,000 military and paramilitary personnel towards mitigation of CBRN threats. It is working closely with all stakeholders including the Armed Forces. It is also providing CBRN support during the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations.

Note: Union Defence Minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman, who was scheduled to inaugurate the event, did not attend, citing pressing engagements elsewhere. 

Source: Press Information Bureau, India