The British Army's Fuchs vehicle, part of the fleet of specialist CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) surveillance and reconnaissance vehicles.
Credit: Andrew Linnett/DE&S Photography
The Army has upgraded its chemical sniffing vehicles to detect novichok in the wake of the Salisbury attacks.
A £16-million contract has been placed to upgrade and sustain the critical fleet of specialist CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) surveillance and reconnaissance vehicles.
The MoD said in a statement: “The importance of the UK’s counter-CBRN capabilities have been highlighted both in the conflict in Syria and the response to the Salisbury nerve agent incident in 2018”.
On March 4, 2018, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with novichok at home in Salisbury. They survived but a local woman, Dawn Sturgess, was killed having come into contact with the nerve agent. Russia has been widely held responsible for carrying out the attack.
Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, said: “With the military landscape rapidly changing, it has never been more important to develop our capabilities and continue to strive for innovation and adaptability.”
“This impressive contract award is a strong and positive step to evolve our traditional equipment into nimble and ground-breaking technologies.”
Fuchs is a six-wheeled, all-wheel drive vehicle.
Credit: Graeme Main/MoD
The Fuchs six-wheeled, all-wheel drive, armoured vehicles have been adapted to carry out chemical, radiological and nuclear survey and reconnaissance missions.
The vehicles are equipped with automatic systems and sensors for detecting nuclear radiation as well as CBRN agents and other toxic substances. More equipment can be fitted to the vehicles as advances in technology has meant kit is now smaller and more capable.
The Fuchs, which can travel at speeds of up to 100kph, is operated by a four-strong team who are sealed in against hazardous environments and can establish the severity and location of any chemical or radiological threat.
The contract is a planned refurbishment of the sensor equipment to replace obsolescent components and ensure the capability is up to date.
The nine-strong fleet of Fuchs are complemented by a training simulator – also to be updated and sustained under the contract – which ensures the specialist operators within the Warminster-based Falcon Squadron can undergo regular training on site.
Falcon Squadron, from 28 Engineer Regiment, provides specialist support to all Army units at home and overseas. It provides pre-deployment training to British troops deploying to Estonia on Operation Cabrit, as part of Nato’s Enhanced Forward Presence to deter Russia.
German army emergency personnel loading into their ambulance the stretcher that was used to transport Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny at Berlin's Charite hospital, where Navalny was treated after his medical evacuation to Germany following a suspected poisoning. Aug 22, 2020.
Credit: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon a director of Doctors Under Fire and an adviser to medical NGOs in Idlib, said: “The CBRN threat has been increasing since 2015, with the more widespread use of chemical weapons in Syria and with Isis in Iraq.
Over the last two or three years, because of Syria, Iraq and the Salisbury attack the likelihood of a CBRN attack has increased to a point where military capability has to be improved in order to protect our forces and the UK.
“Upgrading the Fuchs will enable them to play a key role in chemical reconnaissance and defence of military and civilians abroad and possibly in the UK. It’s mobility, range and collective protection makes it a tremendous capability.”
Mr de Bretton-Gordon, a former Commander of Britain’s CBRN Regiment and author of ‘Chemical Warrior,’ said the strain of novichok used in the recent attack against Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was different to that used in Salisbury.
“The implication of a new novichok could indicate the Russians have a current chemical weapons programme and we absolutely need the right type and level of counter-CBRN capability.
“I’m sure this is being looked at very closely in the Integrated Review to ensure we have the right capability for the developing threat.”
Colonel Tim Chapman, Assistant Head of Counter-CBRN based at Army headquarters in Andover, Wilts, said the capability of the Fuchs vehicles was a “cornerstone” of the UK’s counter-CBRN policy to “avoid the hazard, protect the force and preserve fighting power in order to maintain operational freedom of action post a CBRN incident”.
“The contract will ensure this vital capability is updated and maintained, providing reassurance to allies and partners whilst bolstering our deterrence to would-be aggressors,” he said.
The Telegraph understands there has been no change to the numbers, disposition or readiness of Britain’s counter-CBRN capability.
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