The Role of CBRN Warning and Reporting Structures – The Functional Domain of CBRN Information Management in Operations

Some of the major crises have been shaped by the use or the threat of use of CBRN weapons of mass destruction (CBRN WMD), weapons that have posed serious problems both for the safety of the population, territories and forces of NATO member countries and for international security.

The threat of using CBRN WMD can have a negative psychological effect, and if we add to this the possible accidents at nuclear and chemical risk targets, terrorism, ecological catastrophes, the result is a terrifying specter, which forces us to be circumspect and realistic, but also to plan and organize adequate measures to maintain troops at a high level of training and equipment for the purpose of defending against these threats in conflict or crisis conditions.

The ability of commanders to react to CBRN incidents in an efficient and safe manner depends on their ability to obtain clear CBRN information. This information is collected, evaluated, analysed and disseminated within the CBRN Surveillance, Warning and Reporting System (CBRN SWRS).