CDS Inaugurates Two-Day CBRN Conclave in New Delhi

04 Mar 2026 CW Team

The Chief of Defence Staff commended the Defence Research and Development Organisation for progress towards self-reliance in technologies for defence against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards and said India will not be deterred by nuclear coercion. He emphasised that CBRN should be viewed as an environment in which forces must learn to operate and adapt. He underlined the need for indigenous early warning systems, lightweight individual protective equipment and well researched standard operating procedures to enable coordinated military and civilian operations.

Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, reiterated the organisation's commitment to build national resilience through specialised laboratories and centres that develop advanced CBRN technologies. He urged participants to use the conclave for peer learning and to contribute to research that advances preparedness. The guest of honour, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services, highlighted a joint training initiative between DRDO and the medical services which has enhanced capacity for medical management of radiological incidents. That initiative was described as improving availability of trained manpower across the services.

The Director General responsible for soldier support outlined the conclave's scope and urged stakeholders to develop operational scenarios that inform technology prioritisation. He stressed preparing comprehensive plans to guide product development at a pace relevant to emerging threats. The two-day meeting focused on enhancing national resilience by integrating user perspectives into training and promoting the infusion of sensors, artificial intelligence and machine learning into a network centric command and control framework for CBRN security and defence.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is organising a two-day Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Conclave at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on February 26 and 27, 2026. The conference was inaugurated by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, and brings together experts and policymakers from the Armed Forces, central armed police forces and the National Disaster Response Force. The event aims to strengthen the national response to CBRN threats through exchange of operational experience and policy perspectives. The Chief of Defence Staff commended the Defence Research and Development Organisation for progress towards self-reliance in technologies for defence against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards and said India will not be deterred by nuclear coercion. He emphasised that CBRN should be viewed as an environment in which forces must learn to operate and adapt. He underlined the need for indigenous early warning systems, lightweight individual protective equipment and well researched standard operating procedures to enable coordinated military and civilian operations. Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, reiterated the organisation's commitment to build national resilience through specialised laboratories and centres that develop advanced CBRN technologies. He urged participants to use the conclave for peer learning and to contribute to research that advances preparedness. The guest of honour, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services, highlighted a joint training initiative between DRDO and the medical services which has enhanced capacity for medical management of radiological incidents. That initiative was described as improving availability of trained manpower across the services. The Director General responsible for soldier support outlined the conclave's scope and urged stakeholders to develop operational scenarios that inform technology prioritisation. He stressed preparing comprehensive plans to guide product development at a pace relevant to emerging threats. The two-day meeting focused on enhancing national resilience by integrating user perspectives into training and promoting the infusion of sensors, artificial intelligence and machine learning into a network centric command and control framework for CBRN security and defence.

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