CBRNe DEFENCE
complex challenging growing
Today, chemical, biological, radiologi- cal, nuclear and explosive substances and weapons continue to pose a seri- ous and growing threat. In particular, increased proliferation of biological and chemical weapons must be ex- pected, as these are cheaper and easier to produce than nuclear weapons. Moreover, the increasing indus-
trialization of the planet presents major risks as well: planners have to take the possibility of an unintend- ed release of industrial pollutants. The sheer unpredictability of CBRNe
events means that military and civilian decision-makers and fi rst responders are basically unable to prepare for specifi c in- cidents of this kind and are forced to react with little or no warning. If it is the release of toxic substances in a public transport system or of hazardous materials in a sports stadium; a stricken nuclear reactor or bio- logical hazards, industrial chemical explo- sives, environmental disasters - the list of risks is alarmingly long. In light of this situ- ation, military and civilian decision-makers must be able to react quickly and eff ective- ly to any emission of CBRNe contaminants. As one of the world’s leading mak- ers of mobile CBRNe reconnaissance systems for military operations and civil defence, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV) has spent over two decades developing and perfecting such systems that meet the wide-ranging expectations and requirements of military
and civilian users around the world. In order to take heed of the CBRNe
threat, a sober, unbiased discussion of the risks we face has yet to take place in the public sphere. The distorted perceptions this gives rise to can conceal considerable risks in their own right. Overestimating or underestimating the actual threat posed by a CBRNe release could pose a real danger to the civilian population and potentially do far more harm than good. Nor are politicians immune to such
misconceptions. In future, interdis- ciplinary cooperation between the armed services, relief organizations, medical fi rst responders, and industry will play a signifi cant part in detecting and neutralizing contam- inants. In the process, the special skills and expertise of the respec- tive players will have to be bundled and synchronized, the sine qua non for working out eff ec- tive ways of protecting our societies. Warding off the CBRNe threat in the
21st century requires innovative, ex- tremely fl exible, fully networked solu- tions – the kind of solutions that come from close and continuous cooperation between users and manufacturers. The trend is toward high-mobility, light-
weight, fl exibly deployable and aff ordable CBRNe reconnaissance systems that can be
used in a military, civil defence or disaster relief context. In the coming decade, dou- ble-digit rates of growth are expected in this segment. In this context, it is also very important
to get to know the capability gap and its resulting consequences to all aff ected players. However, budgetary constraints and a shortage of trained personnel pose great challenges to governments and manufacturers of CBRNe detection systems alike. Here, striking the right bal- ance between human beings and machines is vital. This is why it is so im-
portant to bundle exist- ing expertise into inter- disciplinary partnerships, as well as to draw in the civilian population to make sure people react in a
rational manner, thus helping to limit the number of casualties and keeping over-
all damage to a minimum. Continu-
ous interdisciplinary cooperation paired with secure, reliable, timely transmission of information between the participating partners is indispensable, and must be maintained throughout each of the inter- dependent CBRNe defence phases (Pro Act – Prevent – Prepare – Respond – Aftercare). The CBRNe threat demands improved
reconnaissance capabilities and greater public awareness.
Dr. Bernhard-Christoph Halstrup, Head of Competence Center CBRN Defence Systems Anne Schreiber, Senior Innovation Manager Sales Competence Center CBRN Defence Systems
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