Experts in Biological Detection Identification and Monitoring have held a unique gathering to underline the European Union’s commitment to protecting forces deployed on ESDP operations from biological attack, with the aim of addressing this key capability requirement through European collaboration.
A symposium organised by the European Defence Agency and hosted by the Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protection Technologies and NBC Protection from 9-11 June in Munster, Lower Saxony, Germany, provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to examine issues and challenges and identify potential collaborative solutions.
“Our armed forces must be prepared to operate in all threat environments and the discussions at this symposium should lead to concrete actions to improve their ability to counter the biological threat,” said EDA Chief Executive Alexander Weis.
The event brought together key European industrial and military actors, including senior members of the armed forces in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) issues, to share information on concepts, operational requirements and current and future capability development for enhancing individual and unit protection against biological attack.
Experts from the European Commission Directorate of Justice, Freedom and Security also took part in the debates, looking for synergies with the military in enhancing the protection of civilians from biological asymmetric attack. North American observers attended to share their experiences.
“The capability to detect threats and to respond to them is the key to determining where and how we should invest our resources,” said Rear Admiral Heinrich Lange of the German Ministry of Defence in his keynote speech at the symposium.
Jon Mullin, EDA Capabilities Director said he hoped the symposium would be the kick-off for a process leading to an operational Biological Defence Capability in the field, through European collaboration.
It was agreed that a high level of expertise exists within the EU and that the most effective way to enhance capability in the CBRN arena was to harness that expertise. This led to recognition of a common interest in developing collaborations between Member States in this area.