The Portuguese Army has reported increasing interest from allied countries in the annual ‘Celulex’ exercise, which has been conducted since 2012 under NATO’s framework.
According to an official statement from the Army, the exercise aims to “test, train, and strengthen the interoperability of the biological, chemical, and radiological defense element” (ElDefBQR), in support of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) and other national entities.
The exercise is designed to prepare for incidents and accidents involving biological, chemical, and radiological agents, including scenarios with explosive devices.
The Médio Tejo region in Santarém district was selected for the event for “strategic, geographic, and security reasons,” the military branch stated, highlighting “sensitive infrastructures, health units, proximity to the Almaraz nuclear plant, population density, and important road and rail communications routes”.
Conducted from the Engineering Regiment No. 1 at the Tancos Military Polygon in Vila Nova da Barquinha, Celulex will unfold in three main scenarios, involving responses to distinct situations.
The scenarios include a biological incident at the Castelo de Bode dam, the release of a nerve agent on a Comboios de Portugal train carriage at Entroncamento depots, and the emergency landing of an aircraft transporting radioactive sources at Tancos Military Airfield.
Additionally, on the final day of the exercise, an extra scenario is planned at D. Maria II School in Vila Nova da Barquinha, aimed at “demonstrating the Army’s capabilities” and “raising awareness of the Army’s work and participating entities among young people aged 10 to 18, fostering interest in civil protection and issues related to BQR defense.”
The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, Judicial Police, GNR, PSP, ULS Médio Tejo, Portuguese Environment Agency, Instituto Superior Técnico, and the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences are among over 20 national entities participating in the exercise, stated the Army’s spokesperson to Lusa.
The Spanish army will participate through the Extremadura Brigade Company, and the French army will send observers, added the same source.
