01 Mar 10. Visiongain assesses that the global CBRN defence market was worth a total of $7.9bn in 2009. Visiongain expects to continue to see significant sales growth in the global marketplace. In the past, few terrorists had the motivation and technical ability to carry out large-scale chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) attacks. However, according to the threat assessment released by US intelligence agencies in February 2010, if Al-Qaeda can develop CBRN capabilities it is believed that it intends to use them to attack Western targets. Visiongain anticipates continuing demand for equipment used by CBRN first responders, both in the military domain and the civilian domain such as emergency services. Extensive training programmes are also being delivered to prepare personnel to respond effectively. CBRN detection, protection and decontamination systems are expected to be adopted more widely around the world, particularly in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific market. The global terrorist threat is expected to remain at an elevated level for many years to come, meaning that government spending on protecting citizens from terrorism is set to continue. Incidents such as the sarin attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995 and the anthrax campaign in the US in 2001 show that CBRN terrorism poses a real danger. If a major economic power in Asia, Europe or North America were to suffer a CBRN attack, sales in the global CBRN defence market would increase dramatically. (Source: ASD Network)

24 Feb 10. Report and Accounts 2008/09: Defence Committee Report. The Defence Committee published (24 Feb 10) a Report on the MoD’s Annual Report and Accounts 2008/09. The Report is divided between ‘The MoD’s resources’ and ‘Assessing the MoD’s performance’. The National Audit Office qualified the MoD’s accounts for the third year running.
Comment: The Report draws particular attention to the problems associated with the introduction of the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system, which included errors in delivering specialist pay worth £268m. The saga of accounting for Bowman communications equipment valued at £1,300m also causes concern. However, possibly the most telling observation is to be found at para 48: “….the Armed Forces have been operating for eight consecutive years above the level which they are routinely resourced and structured to sustain.”. The Report is available, as HC 52, for £14:50. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/10, 01 Mar 10)