Op Sindoor lesson: DRDO to develop specialised ambulance for use in nuclear environment

Drawing lessons from the recently conducted Operation Sindoor as well as other conflicts around the world, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has initiated work on developing a first-of-its-kind specialised ambulance for medical-logistics purpose and pre-hospital care in a nuclear environment.

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“In today's world, the rise in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents calls for serious attention. Recent events, such as the ongoing Russian-Ukraine conflict and targeted military operations like those by the Indian Air Force, highlight the urgent need for specialised medical responses,” states an expression of interest (EoI) issued by the DRDO on July 10.

“These incidents disproportionately impact public health, especially among vulnerable groups. Therefore, a well-designed CBRN ambulance is critical not just for patient transport but also for ensuring safety and effective decontamination in high-risk situations,” the EoI adds.

Traditional ambulances, according to the DRDO, simply do not meet the demands of CBRN emergencies. A modern CBRN ambulance must include advanced filtration and sanitisation systems and protective equipment to keep the internal environment clean. The DRDO has already developed a range of equipment and safety measures for use in a CBRN environment.

Various studies have shown that air sanitisation systems in hospitals can reduce pathogen count by up to 99.9 per cent. By implementing similar technology in ambulances, the safety of both patients and first responders from harmful contaminants can be ensured.

Besides air quality, ambulances need to be equipped for quick and effective sterilisation. This not only facilitates safe operations but also allows the vehicle to be reused without the risk of transferring dangerous substances between patients.

The project is being undertaken by DRDO’s Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), in collaboration with the industry. The work involves preparing the proof of concept of a CBRN ambulance, development of an acceptable design along with the quality, reliability and safety parameters, fabrication of the ambulance and developing production procedures, and trials.

“In view of the new Indian doctrine of ‘every terror attack to be considered as war’, there is a significant change in perspective threat spectra. Under this consideration, use of contamination as a collaborative factor in future terrorism/warfare activity cannot be ignored due to associated public unrest,” the DRDO note on the topic states.

The ultimate aim, according to the DRDO, is to create a state-of-the-art CBRN ambulance based on a civilian chassis but reinforced with military-grade improvements. As the nature of global conflicts evolves, having ambulances designed for CBRN emergencies will be pivotal in reducing risks and saving lives.

The ability to adjust internal pressure to disperse contamination, integration of personal protective equipment for medical teams, specially designed stretchers, ruggedness and capability to navigate challenging terrains are among required features for the vehicles.