L. Ustinova1, V. Barkevych1, N. Kurdil2, R. Shvets1, V. Sahlo1, O. Yevdotiev1
1 Ukrainian Military Medical Academy, Department of Military Toxicology, Radiology and Medical Protection, Kyiv, Ukraine
2 State Enterprise “L. I. Medved’s Research Center of Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety”, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv
ABSTRACT. Modern chemical-warfare (CW) reconnaissance tasks require a fundamentally new approach to the development of methods and technologies to create a database of technical means that provide the necessary sensitivity, responsiveness and specificity. This phase of the study involves chemical control equipment that is in operational service with EU and NATO armies.
Objective: analysis of current international technological standards in the field of control of chemical warfare agents, which are in operational service with EU and NATO armies.
Materials and Мethods. Domestic and foreign sources of scientific information, covering current issues of CBRN security in terms of chemical substances control equipment in EU and NATO countries and review of the prospects of their introduction into the arsenal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The following methods of scientific research were applied: analytical, historical, bibliographic, systematic and informational approach, expert assessments.
Results and Discussion. The analysis of foreign chemical control equipment showed that the most priority are portable gas alarms, robotic and air complexes of CW reconnaissance with the possibility of remote detection of the contaminated area, their integration into automated control systems, which provide prompt collection, processing and transfer of information on changing the chemical environment. As for modern chemical control tools in EU and NATO countries in the field of detection and identification of chemical warfare agents and hazardous chemicals, chemical, physical and chemical, biochemical and spectrometric methods are the most applied due to the speed and high reliability of the results. Currently, there is a need to equip the units of the tactical branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Preventive Medicine Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine with a multi-purpose warning system of radiation and chemical threats. The compatibility of the warning and troop commanding system will reduce the loss of military personnel and machines during possible combat operations using weapons of mass destruction, as the systems will increase the speed of decision making on the use of individual and collective protective equipment.
Conclusion. Harmonization of the standards of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with NATO standards in the field of chemical control is a complex task that requires changes in the system of standards of medical care, which include regulatory, engineering, tactical, medical, educational, and other processes. National scientific and technical potential may be the basis for the creation of new and improved technologies for the production of CW reconnaissance devices and means to indicate chemical warfare agents (CWA) for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Keywords: military toxicology, chemical weapon, identification of chemical warfare agents.
Introduction. Ina previous research “Current status and tendencies in the development of means for identification of chemical warfare agents in Ukraine: ways of harmonization in accordance with EU and NATO standards. Part I” it was established that currently Ukraine where armed conflict is underway, has the highest parameters of chemical hazard among European Union (hereinafter — EU) countries. The first stage of the study focused on the current status and tendencies of the development of control over chemical warfare agents in Ukraine, considered the technical characteristics of the chemical-warfare reconnaissance, detection and identification means used in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and identified the need for retooling of outmoded devices. Today, the priority direction in the internal relationships is the way of cooperation in international peace-making activities, multiple activities to counter the spread of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and other threats.
Ukraine is actively continuing international cooperation in the field of medical support of Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear (CBRN) security that has mutual interest for NATO countries and Ukraine considering the experience of participants. The research and implementation of NATO CBRN security standards in Ukraine are necessary when entering NATO and facilitates peace-making missions. Scientific researches in the field of CBRN security should be integrated as a whole, aimed at implementing a systematic approach to address this important issue.
Particular attention should be paid to operational risk assessment and sustainable management of protective measures under conditions of CBRN exposure. Current tasks of CW reconnaissance within CBRN require a fundamentally new approach to the development of methods and technologies for the creation of a technical base that would provide necessary sensitivity, responsiveness and specificity. Therefore, we devoted the next stage of the research to review chemical control equipment that is in operational service with EU and NATO armies.
Objective: Analysis of current international technological standards in the field of control of chemical warfare agents (hereinafter — CWA), which are in operational service with EU and NATO armies.
Materials and methods. Domestic and foreign sources of scientific information, covering current issues of CBRN security in terms of chemical substances control equipment were analysed. The modern methods and means of control of chemical warfare agents and dangerous industrial chemicals, which are assured by the EU and NATO countries and the prospects of their implementation to the arsenal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, were reviewed. The following methods of scientific research were applied: analytical, historical, bibliographic, systematic and informational approach, expert assessments.
Results. In accordance with the decisions of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) of Ukraine [1, 2, 3], executives of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine in August 2018 have made the decisions to perform development and design activities (hereinafter — DDA) to develop a radiation, chemical and biological (hereinafter — RCB) reconnaissance machine, which will be equipped with a principle new equipment and kits. During this work, a special complex device for detecting RCB contamination is created. Also, the DDA is planned to develop a military chemical-warfare reconnaissance kit (hereinafter — MCWRK), and a tactical task for these works has been approved in accordance with this decision.
After revision at the Central Administration of RCB Security of the Main Directorate of Operational Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a request for proposal was agreed on a component part of the DDA “Creating an analogue of the modernized RCRD-M1 (radiation and chemical reconnaissance device), “Bastion — SRKhR-T”, and the responsible executives directly started implementation of the plans.
On its own initiative in order to accelerate the implementation of these works, Scientific and Production Private Enterprise “Sparing-Vist Center” (Ukraine), which is a leader in the production of radiation control devices and has the capacity to expand its research and production base to provide Armed Forces of Ukraine with the means indication of poisonous substances, has joined [4].
The principal of action of military chemical-warfare reconnaissance kit (MCWRK) is similar to the Soviet model of MCWRD and can replace it completely. As opposite to MCWRD, MCWRK kit has expanded tactical and technical characteristics due to additional indicator tubes for the most common hazardous chemical substances (hereinafter — HCS) in the industry of Ukraine such as chlorine and ammonia type.
By technical characteristics and size, indicator tubes from the set of MCWRK are completely identical to the indicator tubes used in devices MCWRD, semi-automatic chemical-warfare reconnaissance device (SCWRD), PHO-11, chemical-warfare reconnaissance device of the medical and veterinary service (CWRD-MV), medical chemical-warfare reconnaissance device (MeCWRD). This makes it possible to extend the life cycle of these devices by ordering the indicator tubes separately from MCWRK kit.
The MCWRK kit is designed for chemical-warfare reconnaissance, detection of HCS and chemical warfare agents (hereinafter — CWA) in the air, soil, water and solid surface, determination of the type and procedure of application of personal protective equipment, verification of completeness of special processing. The kit also includes indicator paper and tape that can completely replace Soviet items such as chemical control complex (CCC-2) and AP-1.
The components of MCWRK are adopted from ORM-17 kit manufactured by ORITEST Gumárny Zubří (Czech Republic), which is in operational service with NATO countries. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is set to complete the adoption of the MCWRK kit by 2019.
The military chemical-warfare reconnaissance kit ORM-17 is intended for chemical-warfare reconnaissance, detection of dangerous chemical substances and chemical warfare agents in the air, soil, water and solid surface, determination of the type and procedure of application of personal protective equipment (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1. The military chemical-warfare reconnaissance kit ORM-17.
Manufactured by: PE Scientific and Production Private Enterprise “Sparing-Vist Center”, 2019.The kit contains the following: plastic bag for special processing; indicator paper for the detection of liquid chemical warfare agents; DETEHIT indicator tape for the detection of poisonous substances with neuroparalytic action; indicator tubes of 5 types (IT-51, IT-45, IT-36, DT-003, DT-008); spare parts for the pump; wiping cloth; manual pump; a means for opening the tube and ampoules; heating bag for indicator tubes; operating manual.
Indicator tubes simply and quickly detect the type and degree of danger of poisonous substances (PS) and hazardous chemical substances (HCS) in the air, in the field, of machinery, buildings using them in a set of appropriate chemical-warfare reconnaissance devices (MCWRK, MCWRD, SCWRD, PHO-11, MeCWRD, CWRD-MV, СНР-5, ORM-17). The colour of the indicators changes when interacting with the contaminated air. NATO code has been assigned to the tubes included in the MCWRK kit (Table 1). They have differences in labelling from Soviet-type tubes that require proper attention when they used, for example: DT11 fits to IT-51, DT12 — IT-45, DТ15 — IT-36.
Table 1
Kit of the indicator tubes for detection and identification of CWAs and industrial HCSs
A wide range of indicator tubes allows to detect and identify 23 types of CWAs and 11 major industrial HCSs. The diameter of the tube is6 mm, its length is from 93 to 102 mm (made according to customer requirements). Main technical advantages of the ORM-17 kit: a wide selection of indicator tubes; compatible with most known electric and manual pumps; environmentally safe, no toxic materials are used as reagents; special simulators for education and training are available.
CALID-3 Indicator Paper (NATO inventory number (N81*06665-16-000-7996) is designed to quickly and easily detect and identify the 3 major groups of neuroparalytic and vesicant action CWAs: G, Н, V. Upon contact with a drop of substance, the indicator paper changes its colour during 30 sec in accordance with one of the three major CWA groups. Indicator paper is designed as a booklet. Each booklet contains 12 sheets as well as pages with operational manual and strips of standard colours. Defined as an international standard, it is widely used by NATO armed forces, inspectors of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and other international organizations. Size of booklet: 65x100 mm; the size of CWA detection area: 65x85 mm; operating temperature from –40 °C to + 50 °C.
DETEHIT Indicator Tape (NATO inventory number (N514) 6665160007850) is designed to detect neuroparalytic agents and organophosphorus compounds in the air, water, food and on the surface. Each container contains 10 tapes, each is packed in foil, and operational manual. Indicator tape makes it possible to measure the dangerous concentration of neuroparalytic agents: within 2–3 minutes in the air; the need for further use of personal respiratory protective equipment — within 5–15 minutes; possibility of eating food, water — within 15–30 minutes. The indicator tape is extremely sensitive and optimal for individual use. It requires no extra equipment except a small amount of water to wet the tape surface.
The main advantages of the indicator tape are the high sensitivity and the ability to detect GV, GD, VX, GF, GA and GR agents listed in Tables 2 and 3.
Table 2
Sensitivity of indicator tape DETEHIT
Table 3
Sensitivity of the indicator tubes for detection and identification of CWAs and industrial HCSs
Operating temperature of the indicator tape: –20 °C to 40 °C, antifreeze must be used at temperatures below 0 °C. The test result for the presence of neuroparalytic agents is considered positive if the indicator zone of the tape is not discoloured and remains white.
Chemical-warfare reconnaissance device СНР-5 (NATO inventory number (N814)6665150055932) is the portable device designed to detect CWAs and industrial HCSs in the air (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 Chemical-warfare reconnaissance device СHP-5. Manufactured by: Scientific and Production Private Enterprise “Sparing-Vist Center”, 2019.
СНР-5 may be used for measurement of contamination of soil, bulk materials and solid surface with CWAs. By its characteristics, it can replace Soviet items such as SCWRD, PHO-11. The functioning of the device is based on analysis of air using special indicator tubes. It is equipped with the electrical pump which due to its design allows concomitant use of 5 indicator tubes for the analysis. If CWAs and industrial HCSs are present in the air, indicator inside of the tubes is discoloured. For some substances, it is possible to approximate the concentration of dangerous substances according to the colour intensity of the indicator. A portable chemical-warfare reconnaissance device is designed to detect airborne warfare chemical agents and hazardous industrial chemical substances.
An important requirement for modern devices used in the gas analysis of active chemically hazardous substances is ease of use, relatively low cost, and miniaturization.
Today, the well-known ChemPro100i detector, Environics Oy (Finland), is presented in the EU markets [5]. This detector is a portable device for the detection and classification of CWAS and some industrial toxic substances in field conditions (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. ChemPro100i detector. Manufactured by: Environics (Finland), 2019.
The device is easy to use, has a sensitivity, false operation rate, as well as operability and no need for maintenance at the level of the best items in the market in its class. It has no consumables and very few replacement parts throughout the life cycle of the detector, making it cost-effective.
Furthermore, current chemical-warfare reconnaissance tasks require a fundamentally new approach to the development of methods and technologies to create a technical base that would provide the necessary sensitivity, responsiveness, and specificity. Given the above, we have conducted an analysis of the technical means that can be used for chemical-warfare reconnaissance and chemical control of CWAs, on the example of the US Army.
In the face of the increasing threat of war, terrorist attacks by various extremist groups, including the use of weapons of mass destruction, the US Army is equipped with a variety of modern chemical-warfare reconnaissance devices [6, 7, 8].
Let’s overview the characteristics of some of them. M256A1 Chemical Agent Detector Kit (M256A1) is designed to detect, identify and quantify CWAs of neuroparalytic, vesicant, asphyxiation and general poisonous action in the air. The kit includes 12 indicator plates, a set of M8 indicator paper and a storage bag. Duration of complete sample analysis does not exceed 15 minutes. The threshold of sensitivity of the kit for the identification of CWAs of neuroparalytic action is 0.02 mg/m3.
M272 Water Testing Kit is designed to detect, identify and quantify CWAs of neuroparalytic, vesicant, asphyxiation and general poisonous action in water samples. The kit allows determining CWAS, the concentration of which in the sample is 0.02–20.0 mg/L. The determination of CWAs is based on colour (colourimetric) chemical and biochemical reactions. The kit includes indicator plates, a set of M8 indicator paper, storage and carrying bag. One test takes 6–7 minutes, and it takes up to 20 minutes to perform a complete analysis of one water sample.
Each soldier carries ABC-M8 chemical agent indication paper as a booklet in a gas mask carrier and uses it whenever there is a suspicion or evidence of chemical agent contamination. Each booklet contains 25 sheets of paper. ABC-M8 is designed to detect liquid PSs by touching a contaminated surface. When V-type nerve-influencing agent contacts with the paper, its colour changes to dark green, G-type nerve-influencing agent changes colour to yellow, and vesicant PS — to red.
M9 chemical agent indication paper, designed to detect airborne PS liquid aerosols, is more sensitive and responds faster than ABC-M8 paper. The product can be attached to the surfaces of machinery, equipment, or it can be tied around the arm, leg. The paper responds to contact with chemical agents via discolouration. If red, pink, purple spots appear on the paper, the presence of chemical agents is suspected. When the indicator paper indicates the presence of chemical agents, soldiers should take precautionary measures.
Individual chemical -warfare reconnaissance devices (gas alarms): ICAD, JCAD, LCAD. Each ICAD (Individual Chemical Agent Detector), JCAD (Joint Chemical Agent Detector), LCAD (Lightweight Chemical Agent Detector) is designed for the detection, identification and quantification of PS of neuroparalytic, vesicant, asphyxiation and general poisonous action at concentrations less than affecting ones.
A typical device consists of two modules: electronic-signalling and sensory. The operation of the sensory unit of the device is based on the electrochemical principle of action, it includes two elements, the first of which provides the detection of PS of general poisonous and vesicant action, and the second —organophosphorus compounds. The device is attached to the equipment of the service members and operates continuously in tracking mode from one power component for four to six months. When PS is detected, the device warns military personnel of the danger via audible and light alarms and stores information for 72 hours.
ICAD (Individual Chemical Agent Detector) is the individual chemical-warfare reconnaissance device manufactured by Environmental Technology Group. The device functions based on the electrochemical principle. It can detect and identify PSs such as sarin, soman, Vx or chlorine cyanide. ICAD sensitivity in detecting PSs of neuroparalytic action is 0.2 mg/m3, vesicant — 10 mg/m3, general poisonous — 50 mg/m3, and asphyxiation action — 25 mg/m3. The time to obtaining the result is from 5 to 120 sec, the time of preparation for work is no more than 1 min. When PS is detected at concentrations exceeding the acceptable, ICAD warns military personnel of the danger via audible and light signalling.
MICAD — Multipurpose Integrated Chemical Agent Alarm (Multi-Purpose Radiation and Chemical Contamination Notification System) is designed for automatic detection of PSs and radioactive substances, and notification about radiation and chemical contamination, management of collective protective means of armoured machinery, notification about contamination of stationary and moving objects and the transmission of formalized messages NBC-1 or NBC-4 to high command in tactical chain “command–battalion” [9].
MICAD is developed in several modifications and can be mounted on various moving and stationary objects: ХМ26 — in the building; ХМ27 — on multipurpose machinery; XM28 — on command-staff cars, armoured infantry vehicle (AIV) M2A1, M1A2 tanks, M109 self-propelled artillery platforms, and RCB reconnaissance vehicles.
The system contains D/C — Display/Control; UIU — Universal Interface Unit; СIU — Communication Interface Unit; TLR — Telemetry Link Radio; РА — Personal Alarm. The disadvantages of the system include the lack of a portable chemical-warfare reconnaissance device.
For continuous monitoring of air in the area of deployment of units of US troops in areas up to 5 km, a network of chemical-warfare reconnaissance devices network can be created to provide detection of PSs and real-time alerts. The set of such network, as a rule, includes up to 30 ICAD type ICAD gas alarms, equipped with additional data transmission systems, control and data processing unit. The power supply unit ensures its operation for two months. All the information collected is automatically displayed on the computer monitor, indicating the device number, type of PS and time of detection.
The software used allows to create and edit radiation and chemical environment notifications, display tactical status and location of subordinate units on the battlefield, predict the direction and width of the spread of contaminated cloud depending on meteorological data, and process information about changes in RCB status. The chemical danger signal and the state of collective protection of the object are displayed on the screen.
The universal interface is designed to connect the following devices and devices to the MICAD: receivers of the NAVSTAR satellite system, M43A1 gas alarms, M42 alarms, M2 remote chemical-warfare reconnaissance devices, AN/VDR-2 or ADM300 radiometers, and collective protection systems. It should be noted that the use of several such devices, in conjunction with various RCB reconnaissance devices, provides for the creation of a flexible chemical threat alert network in US military deployment areas.
Improved Chemical Agent Monitor (ICAM) created by the British company Graseby Dynamics Ltd., is designed to determine the low concentrations of vapours (0.03–0.1 mg/m3) of organophosphorus substances, as well as PSs of vesicant and neuroparalytic action (sarin, soman, Vx, sulphur mustard) near to real-time. The device is attached to the equipment of the service members and operates continuously in tracking mode from one power component for 4–6 months. It has an audible alarm system when PS is detected at concentrations exceeding the acceptable level. The weight of the device is 2.27 kg, the operating time at detection of PS is not more than 10 sec, the operating temperature range is from –20 °C to + 45 °C, and useful voltage is 6 V. In general, this device provides ground forces, including chemical units — reconnaissance group, special processing unit; medical units — battalion medical station, medical company, medical company (in the corps); other units — school for the training of specialists in the protection of weapons of mass destruction, ordnance disposal team. By 2015, 23,756,000 gas alarms were planned to be delivered to the US military. The cost of the device is about US $ 7.5 thousand.
AP4C CWA detector, which is a flame spectrophotometer, has a similar purpose. The airborne PSs are passed through a hydrogen burner for high-temperature incineration, and the elements emit spectral rays characteristic of them. The detector detects phosphorus (OPCs) and sulphur (HD — sulphur mustard) atoms.
M8A1 automated gas alarm is designed to detect airborne OPCs, sulphur mustard and lewisite vapour in the air, and is currently in operational service with the US Armed Forces and is a major chemical-warfare reconnaissance mean. The device is available in modifications M10–M18, used in three variants: portable, for boards of armoured machinery and in the stationary conditions. The device is made in the form of separate blocks, the main of which are M43A1 gas alarm, blocks of M42 remote alarm and power unit. It runs on rechargeable batteries. The remote unit of audible and light signalling allows receiving a signal on the presence of PS at a distance of up to 400 m from the detector. The sensitivity for detection of different PSs is 0.04–10 mg/m3, the operating time is not more than 20 sec, the overall dimensions are 16.5 x 14 x 27.5 cm, the total weight of the equipment set is 3.4 kg.
M21 Remote Sensing Chemical Agent Alarm is designed to detect PS in a vapour state. When PS vapour with the density of 150 mg/m 2 appears in the control zone of the device, which corresponds to a volume concentration of 1.5 x 103 mg/L for a 100 m cloud, audible and sound alarms are triggered. The device is in the operational service with the US Army and Marine Corps. M21 is a passive infrared spectro-radiometer working in the infrared range performs scans in the 60° sector (full scan time is 60 sec) at seven fixed observation points. If PS cloud is detected on the observation path, the radiation spectrum is changed by the absorption-emission characteristics present in the compound. These characteristics are analysed by special algorithms for processing spectral information, which allows the detection of PSs in the presence of interfering impurities since they are often similar to the spectral characteristics. M21 gas alarm is equipped with a remote alarm device through which the alarm is transmitted up to 400 m. The time of deployment and preparation of the device for work by two operators does not exceed 10 minutes, and its operation without procedural inspection is up to 750 hours. M21 is equipped with an RS232 communication port for communication with CADNET (Chemical Agent Detector Network).
M22 ACADA automated gas alarm as a set (Automatic Chemical Agent Detection Alarm) is designed to simultaneously detect low concentrations of PS vapour of neuroparalytic (sarin, soman, tabun, Vx) and vesicant action (sulphur mustard), however, it can be reprogrammed to detect industrial toxic chemicals. The device is designed on demand of the US Armed Forces by Graseby Dynamics (UK) and is based on equipment that is in the operational service with UK Armed Forces. This detector is mounted on moving objects for rapid alerting of military personnel by audible and light alarms about chemical attack or contamination of the territory and management of collective protective means. It can be installed both inside and outside the housing to determine the presence of PSs both inside and on the outer surface of the armoured machinery. A set included M88 detector, M42 remote audible and light signalling unit, shipping box and a portable battery pack. Auxiliary equipment is M28 power source and M281 mobile mounting device. The device has high sensitivity and rapid action. The principle of its action is based on the use of the method of ion-cluster spectrometry. The gas alarm is battery operated, used with the mounting device and is powered by the on-board system of the vehicle. The remote unit of audible and light signalling may be placed a distance of up to 400 m from the detector. The gas alarm is compatible with the multipurpose radiation and chemical alarm MICAD.
CADIS (Chemical Agent Detection and Identification System) chromatic mass spectrometer is designed to detect, identify and quantify PS of neuroparalytic, vesicant, general poisonous, and asphyxiation action. A special feature of CADIS is the use of mass spectrometric and chromatographic methods of analysis of chemical compounds in it, which provides speed, high selectivity and sensitivity. The system is made in the form of two units. The first one includes a mass spectrometer and a gas chromatograph with the sampling device, and the second one performs information processing.
On-board RAPID device — Standoff CWA/TIC Detection (manufactured by Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Germany) is a compact, reliable monitor — detector of infrared radiation for remote detection of chemical agent clouds in real-time at distances up to 5 km [10]. All known CW agents and industrial HCSs are detected and identified automatically at a distance of several kilometres. This system can be installed on vehicles, helicopters, etc. The unit piece of the device contains a sensor, scanner, electronics and integrated control system. The operation of the device is based on the principle of analysis of the infrared component of a chemical cloud, via measurement of the lowest temperature difference between the cloud and the background. The data, known as infrared spectra, are transmitted to the PC, and the software compares them to the spectral databases included in the program to identify PSs.
RAPID-XP on-board device (manufactured by Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Germany) is designed to detect and identify airborne CWAs and industrial HCSs and to measure their concentrations.
RAPID-М 100 portable spectrometer (manufactured by Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Germany) is designed to detect and identify CWAs and industrial HCSs in the air and in samples, and to measure their concentrations. The device has additional sampling system and a holder on vibration-proof supports with adjustment for rapid removal and installation of the device.
Discussion. The main objective of cooperation between Ukraine and NATO in the area of standardization is the study and gradual implementation of NATO standards. Solving of these problems is facilitated by standardization, which within NATO is referred to as the process of adopting agreed concepts, doctrines, procedures in the operational, administrative and material fields [11-13].
The implementation of NATO standards in the field of CWA chemical control also contributes to the achievement of the required level of joint action by units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in terms of planning and evaluation of the implementation of the NATO Partnership for Peace program. Such a development of cooperation is necessarily analysed when evaluating the military bases and units that are part of a joint pool of operational forces and capabilities. These approaches allow achieving the strategic goal of Ukraine in terms of Euro-Atlantic integration through the gradual adoption of NATO standards and procedures. Improving the compatibility between the technical resources of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and NATO is the key to fulfilling tasks of joint peace-making operations, in particular contributing to the implementation of the partnership objectives by participating in NATO managed crisis response operations. Unfortunately, the low rate of practical implementation of NATO chemical control standards has delayed the implementation of this process, however, efforts have recently been stepped up [14, 15].
Assessing the wide range of modern chemical control means used in the EU and NATO countries, it can be noted that in the field of detection and identification of chemical warfare agents and emergency and hazardous chemical substances, chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and spectrometric methods have the most practical application due to the speed and high reliability of the results. For example, chemical methods are the most appropriate for the indication of chemical warfare agents in the field settings, while others may be used as an auxiliary, depending on the environmental conditions.
Currently, the Ukrainian market for chemical-warfare reconnaissance and chemical control equipment manufacturers is in its infancy. However, its recourse is able to additionally supply chemical-warfare reconnaissance and chemical control means that are in the operational service with the medical service and special units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under cooperation at the state level.
The analysis of foreign chemical control equipment showed that the most priority is portable gas alarms, robotic and air complexes of CW reconnaissance with the possibility of remote detection of the contaminated area, their integration into automated control systems, which provide prompt collection, processing and transfer of information on changing the chemical environment. Additionally to the reconnaissance and control means, currently, there is a need to equip the units of the tactical branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Preventive Medicine Service of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine with a multi-purpose warning system of radiation and chemical threats. The compatibility of the warning and troop commanding system will reduce the loss of military personnel and machines during possible combat operations using weapons of mass destruction, as the systems will increase the speed of decision making on the use of individual and collective protective equipment.
Equipping the units of the Preventive Medicine Service of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine with new generation chemical-warfare reconnaissance means will significantly increase the potential of the military medical defence system during combat operations, which in the conditions of high threat of the use of weapons of mass destruction significantly reduce the timing of detection of CWAs and ensure timely notification of troops, identification of CWAs and use of medical means of chemical protection.
Conclusion
1. The current system of medical protection in the Armed Forces of Ukraine provides completion of tasks of the required levels, however, rapid development of military technologies constantly complicates the solution making for combat tasks and leads to the need to improve the efficacy of the existing system of medical protection against weapons of mass destruction in accordance with the standards of EU and NATO countries.
2. Harmonization of the standards of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with NATO standards in the field of chemical control is a complex task that requires changes in the system of standards of medical care, which include regulatory, engineering, tactical, medical, educational, and other processes.
3. National scientific and technical potential may be the basis for the creation of new and improved technologies for the production of CW reconnaissance devices and means to indicate CWAs for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
4. The successful implementation of the provisions of international legislation in the field of CBRN security into national legislation is an important condition for the realization of the constitutional right of Ukrainian citizens to safe and healthy working conditions, environment safe for the life and health of people, and will contribute to the formation of a positive image of Ukraine in the world.
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