Earlier this month, ESD – European Security & Defence, a global journal that addresses focal aspects of European security and defence policy, force development and armament for an international audience in more than 100 countries, published an article on “Finland and CBRN Defence“.
As Europe’s geopolitical landscape shifts, Finland stands out not just for bringing crucial conventional capabilities to the NATO alliance, but also as a key player in mitigating chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, with a comprehensive network of military, civil, and industrial capabilities in this sphere.
Introduction of the article “Finland and CBRN Defence“ published by ESD on January 16th 2025
ESD points out Finland as a nation aware of national defence importance and commited with the defence industry. Its recent entrance to NATO — together with Sweden — turned the eyes of Europe into a member state that never stopped improving its military capabilities since the end of the Second World War, a state that keeps military service mandatory and is able to deploy “nearly 300,000 troops into the field if a national mobilisation is declared”.
CBRN threat detection and monitoring capabilities are no exception, and that is where Bertin Environics — formerly Environics Oy — stands out “a major player”. Apart from the company’s longevity, whose foundation dates back to 1987, Bertin Environics’ in-house CBRN expertise had been already recognized by NATO for instance when CBRN Specialist and Training Manager was invited by the fourth time in 2023 to conduct a training at the Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRND COE). This course was part NATO’s Project on Minimum Standards and Non.-Binding Guidelines for First Responders Regarding Planning, Training, Procedure and Equipment for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Incidents THE INTERNATIONAL CBRN TRAINING CURRICULUM.
Bertin Environics as a Niche Market Leader
But it wasn’t only NATO that noticed the value of (Bertin) Environics’ experience and expertise in the CBRN industry field. Back in September of 2022, the european industrial company for critical scientific instrumentation Bertin Technologies announced the acquisition of the Finnish company Environics Oy and declares it its flagship for CBRN business borldwide.
Up to date, Bertin Environics’ CBRN detection equipment has been delivered to military and security organizations in over 70 countries — including nearly all NATO member states — in 6 continents (with Antarctica being the expection). Even though the company’s name may be more ressonant in the handheld chemical detector side, (Bertin) Environics has been delivering CBRN monitoring systems for naval vessels since 1994, having been the solution provider of over 140 Naval CBRN Systems to 26 nations (from which 87 ships belong to NATO countries, in 11 different member states).
Bertin Environics CBRN system solutions for vehicle integration started in 2004, and so far have been provided to over 650 armored and light vehicles.
(Bertin) Environics’ Finnish know-how in CBRN threat mitigation has been enhancing safety globally for 38 years.