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The Bundeswehr is replacing a large part of its devices for detecting bio-warfare agents, which can also be used for corona tests.
According to WELT research, 41 new devices will be bought from a tender.
It is a replacement because the service life of obsolete devices has expired, according to the BAAINBw, when asked to do so.
With the devices, specific pathogens could be detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
This analysis tool is the most widely used method for detecting Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus disease.
The devices for detecting bio-warfare agents could directly detect pathogens and toxins using special antibody tests.
Using test cartridges, results would be available after 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the scope and breadth of analysis.
Up to ten types of pathogens could also be detected in parallel.
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The Bundeswehr plays a key role in analyzing and fighting the pandemic.
The Munich-based Institute for Microbiology of the Bundeswehr has been involved in the analysis of the pathogen since the end of January.
According to its own information, the military research facility was the first laboratory in Germany to diagnose infections with Sars-CoV-2 in patients from Munich.
The basic task of the institute is "the development of procedures and measures to protect soldiers from diseases that are caused by biological warfare agents and other dangerous pathogens".
Just how extensive the Bundeswehr's contribution to combating the corona pandemic is can be seen from a few figures.
Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer recently announced that the Bundeswehr is increasing its contingent of soldiers for the federal states and municipalities by 5,000 to 20,000.
The Bundeswehr should also provide support on the subject of vaccination.
The armed forces are supposed to help distribute centrally delivered vaccines to the federal states.
It is also possible to operate their own vaccination centers.
According to Kramp-Karrenbauer, the Bundeswehr is planning 26 vaccination centers, some of which are mobile.
In addition to the troops' own needs, these mobile centers could also be used in the federal states where stationary vaccination centers would not make much sense in sparsely populated areas.
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The course of the corona diseases is also closely followed by other military experts for bio-pathogens.
The Pentagon research agency DARPA started its own program a good two years ago to investigate how soldiers can build up antibodies as quickly as possible in the event of an infection.
The aim of the project (Pandemic Preparedness Platform) is actually to have an effective antidote in a maximum of 60 days after a new infection has been detected, so that there is no uncontrolled course.
In the Bundeswehr, the 41 new devices for detecting bio-warfare agents consist of the actual measuring device plus a laptop for control and data recording.
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The devices are able to detect pathogens that are dangerous for humans in the environment and in suspicious substances, it is said.
Information on the procurement costs is not given.
According to the tender, the measuring devices are to be delivered by Bio-Rad Laboratories in Feldkirchen near Munich.
The company belongs to the listed Californian group of the same name, Bio-Rad.
Upon request, the company does not provide any details about the Bundeswehr contract.
The group with more than 8000 employees worldwide and 2.3 billion dollars in sales (2019) is pleased to be able to supply the German armed forces.
Bio-Rad refers to its wide range of products, with which it makes contributions to research and development of vaccines and is involved in the diagnosis and therapy monitoring of corona patients.
The latest figures show how much Bio-Rad is benefiting from the pandemic in business.
In the third quarter alone, sales in the life sciences segment rose by 50 percent to $ 324 million, primarily through products for corona tests and their evaluation.
In Germany, the US group Bio-Rad holds 38 percent of the ordinary shares of the Göttingen laboratory supplier Sartorius.