India must be ready with indigenous CBRN defence systems: CDS Gen Anil Chauhan

India must remain prepared with indigenous Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) defence equipment, especially advanced early warning systems, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan said on Thursday.

Addressing a two-day CBRN conclave organised by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Gen Chauhan said CBRN should be viewed not merely as a threat but as an operating environment. He noted that CBRN refers to dangerous substances or weapons that can cause mass harm, as well as the specialised defence equipment and systems required to detect, protect against and respond to such threats. “CBRN needs to be considered more as an environment than a threat, and we should brace ourselves to learn to live and operate in contaminated environments,” he said.

The Chief of Defence Staff underlined the need for state-of-the-art, indigenous CBRN defence equipment backed by well-researched standard operating procedures and protocols to ensure coordinated operations in synergy with both military and civilian establishments. He stressed that developing such indigenous systems is critical for early detection of threats, protection of soldiers and civilians, enabling safe operations in contaminated conditions, and reducing dependence on foreign technologies.

Commending the DRDO for its work towards achieving self-reliance in CBRN defence technologies, Gen Chauhan reiterated India’s firm strategic resolve. Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the country would not be “deterred by nuclear blackmail.”

Gen Chauhan made these remarks after inaugurating the two-day conclave focused on strengthening India’s preparedness and technological capabilities in the CBRN domain.