The European Defence Agency (EDA) has conducted its first-ever chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) live agent training for specialised defence units.
Hosted at the CBRN Test and Training Centre in Zemianske Kostoľany, Slovakia, the training took place from 2 to 7 March 2025, with participants from eight EU Member States facing scenarios on qualified and forensic CBRN sampling.
As part of efforts to increase the safety of European armed forces and the wider population, EDA is also committed to strengthening CBRN defence through advanced threat detection projects, such as the ‘Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Surveillance as a Service’ (CBRN SaaS).
The training in Slovakia was not a simulation. Real radioactive materials, such as Caesium-137, and highly toxic chemical warfare agents, including VX and Sarin, were used in accordance with the highest safety standards. Every step and every procedure had to be executed in full CBRN protective gear. This hands-on experience strengthened specialists’ ability to detect, contain, and neutralise threats.
An eight-member evaluation team, comprising experienced CBRN defence personnel from five Member States and led by EDA, assessed the course in real time, enabling the immediate identification of lessons learned for future projects.
Bridging civil-military gaps
Training defence specialists under real CBRN conditions also helps bridge gaps between civilian and military sectors. In a crisis, coordination is key, and expertise and resources must be deployed without delay. Strengthening Europe’s preparedness contributes to a faster, more effective response framework that protects both soldiers and civilians. “A soldier’s gear isn’t always a rifle. Sometimes, it’s a gas mask, gloves, and a protective suit,” said EDA Project Officer for CBRN Friedrich Aflenzer.
