MOD orders new chemical/nuclear protection suits

The Remploy-made suits guard against nuclear, biological or chemical attacks and are designed to seal around the CBRN service respirator and fit over combat clothing to give extra protection to troops.

The CBRN suits are worn with rubber over-boots and gloves and come in woodland and desert material.

Baroness Taylor said:

"Individual protection is of the highest priority and these suits will allow our troops to maintain the tempo of operations should there be a chemical, nuclear or biological incident.

"This order with Remploy will build on improvements we have already made to the protection of our forces against nuclear, biological and chemical threats."

Remploy was formed more than 60 years ago and provides work for people injured at home and abroad during the Second World War. The company has supplied specialist protection suits for several years from its workshops around Scotland and in the rest of the UK.

Other recent improvements MOD has made to the protection of troops against nuclear, biological and chemical threats include:

• The Integrated Biological Detection System - a truck-mounted 'high technology' suite of detector and identification equipment
• Lightweight and man-portable Chemical Agent Detectors which provide an alarm of attack by chemical warfare agents
• Tactical Radiation Monitoring Equipment - a comprehensive suite of detectors and monitors for use on the battlefield in order to protect against the effects of radiation