CBRNE Indian Navy

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Evolution of NBCD in Indian Navy

During my continuous 16 years of Sea tenure, occasionally I used to go

on the Qarterdeck or Poop deck or Helo deck of the warship (especially during OSD or Patrol sorties) to see the silent and deep sea. It used to

look beautiful but one thought was very clear, as is to all mariners that sea, unlike fire, dosn’t look ferocious but is non-pardoning for any wrong

doer. Like fire, it does bring fatalities to the nervous and mischievous. Yet its serenity used to have a mystic music deep inside, which used to

convey a hand of friendship across the nations to mariners who used it to travel without polluting it.

The challenges met out by the mariners encompassed all including fury of

the storm, fire on-board, damaged hull flooding or a chemical cargo leak. Indian Navy in its transition had learnt from the British BRs (Books of

Reference) a very important chapter of Naval war fighter’s life and that

was of ABCDEF (Atomic, Biological, Chemical, Damage Control, emergency Fire Fighting). This later got refined to NBCD which covered

the same ambit. NBCD in the Navy came to lime light when in 1989 INS Andamaan, a Petiya class Destroyer, sank in Bay of Bengal during Naval

exercise. Many personnel were rescued, including the commanding officer, but loss of few Naval personnel left a wound for the thinking Navy,

to be answered positively, with not to be repeated again attitude, by technical procedures and organisational changes. At that time, we were

just lucky to have a latest induction from Royal Navy, HMS Hermes- rechristened as INS Viraat, who was beautiful grand lady who had

participated in the Falklands war. Royal Navy had learnt some vital lessons from the Falklands war and one of them was strength of NBCD

and it was practiced totally in letter and spirit on-board Viraat. Quick learning on the procedures and organisation threw up many good leafs

which simply ought to be copied and replicated onboard all our other

warships- be of western or eastern origin. Simultaneously, apart from the changes being made at operational level, there were changes made in

other forums, which included but not limited to, setting up of & impetus to FOST (earlier Warship Workup Organisation), bringing in of CNAL (list of

items for NBCD), NBCD officer at DSR, some Navy orders on NBCD etc.

Today, CBRN threats have emerged, globally also, on the home security front. Like all other Navies, Indian warships have preparedness to deal

and operate under CBRN or NBC climate. As in general, there is collective and individual protection which a warship is provided. Citadel concepts

followed in most of the navies ensure that outside dust or the aerosol spray does not come inside. Towards this, pre-wetting and air filter

provide certain negation. SOQCV (Solenoid operating quick closing valves) ensures quick closing of the warships citadel and air pressurising

through the filters builds up a positive pressure. It is seen that Mumbai

Dockyard has issued a tender in which the maintenance of this service is



being outsourced. For good reasons, while the servicing could be

outsourced but it should be ensured that a warship is delivered this service by the maintainers so that an important capability is retained.

Latest acquisitions viz Talwar class have an excellent close down facility which needs to be replicated in other warships. Older Rajput class of ships

had many such facilities which are incomparable today also. Good concept of many small citadels in a ship should be followed rather than having a

single ship as a citadel.

Biological warfare is unlikely to be at sea but it cannot be ruled out. Due to the nature and medium of incubation, Land based units are likely to get

affected more. For defence against Chemical warfare, material preparation is on the lines of protection as envisaged for Nuclear warfare.

For both, Nuclear and Chemical warfare, detection and surveillance systems are available onboard the warships. Drills to be followed after

surveillance alarm or on detection are well known. FOST organisation has

done a tremendous job in getting all the NBCD drills in shape and to standard. When the author was a work up instructor in HQ FOST, he had

worked up more than 42 warships ranging from an Aircraft Carrier to LCU in a span of 3½ yrs. During such a tenure, a project called as ‘NBC Yard’

was conceived which could not only provide NBC training to all personnel but also have little embedded competence to repair, calibrate and

maintain such high technology & sensitive equipment and systems. It is understood that such a facility is about to come up soon. NBCD School,

the alma mater of NBCD Training has also gone under change. DC Simulator was set up in the start of this century. This author had visited

Royal Navy NBCD School at Phoenix to see how we could setup a Fire Fighting simulator at our NBCD School. The project has obtained the Govt

sanction and is to be setup in association with GSL soon.

Role of DRDO in equipping the Services with indigenous equipment is

laudable. While DRDO has not been on the front edge of providing lead technology equipment as and when developed elsewhere, but the global

trail followed by it has tried to equip the Navy in many a personal detection and protection equipment. The protective suits and detection

equipment provided by DRDO development are yet to be tested out in battle field scenario. Many users feel more comfortable and assured when

they don and operate foreign OEMs suits/ equipment. For sure, DRDO developed suits and equipment should try to get certifications from lead

foreign countries for carrying out exports of these privileged items to developed countries.

With Indian maritime industry taking off, a macro look should be taken to

develop a ‘whole ship decontamination’ area. This calls for developing a CBRN quarantine and associated infrastructure. With competence on NBC

front on the rise, both in security forces and civil world, this should not be

a big issue. Many a studies have been done to identify and carry out such



procedures. While every citizen prays that a day should not come when

these facilities are to be used but then India is precariously placed (Geo-politically) among the nations where the sense to play such CBRN

mischiefs is high.

Indian Navy’s march in the NBCD front is envious among the three services. During this author’s tenure in Naval Headquarters/ DSR (2007 to

09), DSR was able to publish all the NBCD INBRs and make a government case for NBCD manpower, which got realised in 2010. Today, Navy has

led the march ahead with setting up of an independent NBCD Directorate. A 3 star as IGNS has been in the chair looking after the Nuclear safety

aspects at apex level. Navy’s Arihant, an indigenous nuclear propulsion submarine, going critical on powering of its nuclear reactor is a source of

joy. Nuclear Triad as envisaged by the Navy would assume more importance after successfully sailing in nuclear propulsion usage. From

submarine to a Carrier using nuclear propulsion, may not be a far sight.

In the years to come, professionalism in the field of Nuclear exploitation and safety is going to rise. It is must that NBCD officers are specifically

and correctly trained. All the officers of NBCD branch should have yearlong Nuclear or Bio-Chemical PG degree/ diploma from the upcoming

Defence university.

On the technological side, rapid leaps are being made by India in civil nuclear side. Nuclear safety is going to see a rise, as has been for the

nationwide safety drills conducted by NDMA. Chemical hazard/ handling area is also growing up due to increased awareness of environmental

norms. While the CBRN movement on the land part are moving in a ‘reactive’ way, Indian Navy should retain the lead with ‘proactive’ thinking

edge and enjoy in handling matured technologies comfortably. God bless Bharat and God bless Bharti Nausena.

About the Author: Cdr Kamaljit Singh Jassal served as Joint Director in DSR at NHQ and Perspective Planning & Force Structuring Division at HQ IDS. As

Member Secy of SCAPCC, he processed over 400 Capital Acquisition of 3 services and ICG worth billions. He was instrumental in formulating & obtaining approval

for LTIPP2012-27 and revised Offset Policy. After retirement, he is working as Country Manager in a US MNC and can be reached at [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

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