The Bangladesh Army has ordered CBRN equipment for the first time as part of its efforts to raise a nuclear protection force which will be used to protect nuclear power plants of the country.
In the initial tranche the Bangladesh Army is purchasing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) protective suites (25), Radiation detectors (10), Radiation measurement equipment (2) and Man-portable CBRN decontamination solution (3).
The Bangladesh Army will raise a brigade sized CBRN force. Members of this special formation will be stationed at the Roopur Nuclear Powerplant (RNPP) which will commence operations in 2023.
The Nuclear Security Force will be commanded by a Brigadier General ranked officer who will lead a composite brigade. The multi-task capable force will be responsible for protecting Bangladesh’s nuclear power plants against all types of threats including those of conventional military nature, asymmetric and cyber security threats. The formation will be comprised of a mechanised infantry battalion, engineer battalion (CBRN), field ambulance company and a signal company.
Specialised equipment such as armoured vehicles, helicopters, firefighting/rescue vehicles, CRBN equipment such as radiation detectors, decontamination solutions, protective suits and mobile/vehicle mounted workshops.
Other resources will be provided by fighting formations such as infantry brigades, air defence artillery brigades, the Air Force, Police, Border Guard and Ansar-VDP forces as necessary.
The Bangladesh Army is likely to replicate such units at the site of other nuclear facilities in the country once it obtains necessary experience.
As part of the CBRN plan the authorities are also likely to organise regular exercises to ensure full operational readiness for this high alert force.
The Roopur Nuclear Powerplant (RNPP) is being established for a cost of $12.65 billion by Rosatom under a deal with Russia. The site is operated by the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited and is owned by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission. Safety and physical security of the RNPP has become a priority for the implementing agencies. The Bangladesh government is working with the Army, other security agencies, the Russian government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to realise effective safety and security measures at the facility.
