CBRN SaaS

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Surveillance as a Service (CBRN SaaS) was initially established as a Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project within the EU framework. Austria is the leading country on this project, with Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia also participating. PESCO in the area of security and defence policy was established by a Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2315 on 11 December 2017, with 25 participating EU Member States.

The aim of the project is to provide a rapidly deployable 24/7 CBRN surveillance capability. The project aims to maximise the use of unmanned ground systems and aerial drones, which will be equipped with a variety of sensors to deliver a real-time CBRN surveillance, detection and incident management capability for both civilian and military purposes. This will enhance the knowledge-based decision-making by leaders, in turn saving lives. By using unmanned systems, operational flexibility will increase, while risks for the operators will be reduced.

In 2019, the European Defence Agency (EDA) was chosen to support the development of this PESCO project as an Agency initiative. The project is also eligible for funding from the European Defence Industrial Development Programme, allowing the Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises from CEDC countries to take part in the project and benefit from a financial input from the EU.

External links, references:

https://www.eda.europa.eu/info-hub/press-centre/latest-news/2019/11/12/eda-to-take-forward-pesco-project-on-cbrn-surveillance

https://eda.europa.eu/what-we-do/our-current-priorities/permanent-structured-cooperation-(PESCO)