DRDO Launches Advanced CBRN Training and Demonstration Centre in Delhi

The newly launched facility forms part of DRDO’s upcoming CBRN Centre of Excellence under the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), one of India’s premier defence biomedical research institutions.

In a major boost to India's national security and emergency response capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Field Training and Demonstration Centre in Delhi, aimed at strengthening the country's preparedness against radiological and nuclear emergencies.

The cutting-edge facility, established at the Burari plains in Delhi, was inaugurated on May 6, 2026, by Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat.

Officials described the centre as a landmark strategic infrastructure project that will play a critical role in training India's frontline responders, advancing CBRN research and enhancing coordinated crisis response capabilities across multiple national security and disaster management agencies.

India Builds Advanced CBRN Preparedness Infrastructure

The newly launched facility forms part of DRDO's upcoming CBRN Centre of Excellence under the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), one of India's premier defence biomedical research institutions.

The centre has been designed as a unique DRDO-led CBRN Centre of Excellence featuring several advanced and integrated facilities, including:

• Dedicated radiological and nuclear test-bed systems

• Heavy ion research facilities

• Emergency medical response units

• Real-time field response systems

• Advanced training infrastructure

• Simulation and demonstration platforms

Officials said the facility will support both operational preparedness and scientific advancement in managing high-risk CBRN incidents.

Strategic Focus on Radiological and Nuclear Emergency Preparedness

The centre has been specifically established to strengthen India's preparedness against:

• Nuclear emergencies

• Radiological incidents

• Chemical threats

• Biological hazards

• Complex disaster scenarios involving hazardous materials

As geopolitical tensions, industrial risks and unconventional security threats evolve globally, governments worldwide are increasing investments in specialised CBRN defence and response infrastructure.

Experts say India's new DRDO facility significantly strengthens the country's ability to:

• Conduct specialised responder training

• Simulate emergency scenarios

• Improve inter-agency coordination

• Develop advanced response protocols

• Enhance medical preparedness

• Accelerate technology development for disaster response

Training Hub for National Security and Disaster Response Agencies

The centre will serve as a dedicated training platform for personnel from:

• Ministry of Defence

• Ministry of Home Affairs

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• Armed Forces

• Emergency medical teams

• Civil defence agencies

• Other specialised response organisations

Officials said the objective is to create a highly trained and technologically equipped network of responders capable of managing complex CBRN emergencies in real-world conditions.

The facility will conduct:

• Specialised workshops

• Practical field exercises

• Crisis simulations

• Technical demonstrations

• Multi-agency training programmes

Next-Generation CBRN Specialists to Be Trained

INMAS officials said the centre is also expected to become a major national hub for developing future specialists in CBRN defence and emergency management.

Through structured training programmes and research integration, the initiative aims to:

• Train the next generation of CBRN experts

• Introduce emerging technologies into response systems

• Improve field-level operational readiness

• Strengthen scientific and medical capabilities

• Support innovation in disaster response techniques

The centre will integrate advanced scientific methods and modern technologies to improve preparedness against increasingly sophisticated threats.

State-of-the-Art Research and Field Response Capabilities

One of the centre's major strengths lies in its combination of research infrastructure and operational response capabilities.

The heavy ion research facility and radiological test-bed systems are expected to support:

• Radiation monitoring research

• Nuclear response simulations

• Protective equipment testing

• Hazard detection technologies

• Medical countermeasure development

Meanwhile, real-time field response units will allow agencies to train under simulated disaster conditions closely resembling real emergency scenarios.

Experts say such integrated facilities are critical for ensuring rapid and coordinated responses during high-risk incidents where response time and technical accuracy are crucial.

Growing Importance of CBRN Preparedness Globally

The launch comes amid growing global focus on CBRN preparedness due to:

• Rising geopolitical tensions

• Industrial chemical risks

• Nuclear safety concerns

• Biological threat scenarios

• Increasing urban vulnerability

• Climate-linked disaster complexity

Security analysts note that modern emergency preparedness increasingly requires close coordination between:

• Defence institutions

• Scientific organisations

• Medical systems

• Civil administration

• Disaster management agencies

India's investment in dedicated CBRN infrastructure reflects broader efforts to modernise national resilience systems and strengthen strategic emergency response architecture.

DRDO Expanding Role in National Security and Disaster Technologies

The initiative also highlights DRDO's expanding role beyond traditional defence systems into areas such as:

• Disaster preparedness technologies

• Biomedical defence research

• Emergency medical systems

• Hazard detection and monitoring

• Civil security applications

Under DRDO's broader strategic vision, institutions such as INMAS are increasingly contributing to both military preparedness and civilian disaster resilience.

Senior Defence and Scientific Leadership Attend Launch

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several senior DRDO officials and scientific leaders, including:

• Director General Soldier Support System Dr Upendra Kumar Singh

• Director General (Production Coordination & Services Interaction) Dr Chandrika Kaushik

• Director General Resource & Management Dr Ravindra Singh

• Corporate Directors

• Senior scientists and dignitaries

Officials said the facility represents a major milestone in India's efforts to build advanced indigenous capabilities in strategic defence preparedness, emergency response and national resilience.

Toward a More Resilient and Prepared India

With increasing complexity in global security and disaster landscapes, the DRDO CBRN Centre of Excellence is expected to become a cornerstone of India's long-term preparedness framework.

By combining advanced research, real-time simulation, medical response and multi-agency training under one integrated platform, the new centre is poised to significantly enhance India's ability to respond swiftly and effectively to some of the most challenging emergency scenarios of the future.