UKRAINE: 3 QUESTIONS - 3 ANSWERS, PART 9: ABC Danger?

Oberst Jürgen Schlechter is the head of the ABC Defense Center of the Austrian Armed Forces, which deals with atomic, biological, and chemical threats. Here he answers current questions about the war in Ukraine.

The Bundesheer Expert's Response:

If there were to be a reactor fire during combat operations around Ukrainian nuclear power plants, how quickly would the Austrian population be informed or alerted?

There is a reporting system by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whereby incidents in nuclear power plants are reported immediately. There is a sufficient lead time until any potential radioactive fallout arrives. The Austrian population is informed by the Austrian media and the KatWarn smartphone application (link below).

What role do the ABC experts of the Bundesheer play in the event of a reactor catastrophe?

The ABC experts of the Austrian Armed Forces inform and advise political and military leadership at all levels about current developments.

They also make forecasts about radioactive fallout, possible precautionary measures, and the deployment and support options of the Bundesheer in case of emergency.

What capabilities and equipment do the ABC specialists of the Bundesheer have to help the population in such a catastrophe?

The ABC Defense of the Bundesheer has a prediction system that forecasts the possible spread of radioactive clouds. The ABC Defense is also equipped with devices for detection (identification and sampling) and decontamination. Additionally, all soldiers of the Bundesheer have personal ABC protective equipment to ensure operational readiness.

In addition, the ABC Defense can provide purified water supply as needed. Furthermore, the Austrian Armed Forces support measures for evacuation, sampling and other transports, as well as general population supply.

BUNDESHEER Website

UKRAINE: 3 Questions – 3 Answers

– UKRAINE: 3 QUESTIONS – 3 ANSWERS, PART 8: BATTLE FOR THE CITIES

– UKRAINE: 3 QUESTIONS – 3 ANSWERS, PART 7: AIR WARFARE AND DRONES

– UKRAINE: 3 QUESTIONS – 3 ANSWERS, PART 6: NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AND NUCLEAR THREAT

– UKRAINE: 3 QUESTIONS – 3 ANSWERS, PART 5: WHAT WEAPONS?

– UKRAINE: 3 QUESTIONS – 3 ANSWERS, PART 4: WEAPONS FOR KYIV?

– UKRAINE: 3 QUESTIONS – 3 ANSWERS, PART 3: IS THERE RESISTANCE?

– UKRAINE: 3 QUESTIONS – 3 ANSWERS, PART 2: WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ATTACK?

– UKRAINE: 3 QUESTIONS – 3 ANSWERS, PART 1: WHAT'S HAPPENING?