US Army to integrate biological warfare scenarios into routine combat training

Yesterday 20:20

By: Azzat Manal

US Army to integrate biological warfare scenarios into routine combat training

The US Army plans to incorporate biological warfare scenarios into its regular combat training as part of an updated approach to preparing troops for future conflicts, according to a report by Fox News citing a signed military document.

The initiative aims to prepare soldiers to operate in environments where biological weapons could be used by 2035. It reflects growing military attention to biological threats, which can affect personnel, disrupt logistics and undermine operational readiness even when conventional fighting continues.

Under the reported plan, the Army intends to move beyond treating biological threats primarily as public health emergencies. Commanders, intelligence officers and logistical support units are expected to train for situations in which infectious disease outbreaks or other biological hazards emerge during military operations. The objective is to maintain combat effectiveness while managing risks to personnel and military infrastructure.

Alison Tamasi, a representative of the Army agency responsible for nuclear matters and countering weapons of mass destruction, acknowledged the limits of protection against every possible biological threat. As quoted in the report, she stressed that it would not be realistic to shield every soldier from every potential exposure.

The reported changes follow the publication of an updated US Army biodefense strategy in September. The review draws on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated how infectious diseases can disrupt institutions, supply chains and essential services. For military organizations, such disruptions can affect troop availability, deployment schedules and the continuity of operations.

Biological threats present particular challenges because outbreaks may develop gradually, spread across units and complicate efforts to distinguish routine illness from a deliberate attack. Military preparedness therefore involves coordination between operational commanders, intelligence services, medical personnel and logistics teams, alongside appropriate detection, protective measures and response procedures.

The strategy also reflects a broader security concern: biological incidents can have consequences beyond the immediate health emergency, potentially affecting military readiness and national security. Integrating such scenarios into training is intended to help personnel respond under pressure while sustaining essential missions.

The reported initiative does not, by itself, establish that a biological attack is imminent. Rather, it points to an effort to prepare for a range of possible threats and to incorporate lessons from recent public health emergencies into military planning. Its effectiveness will depend on how the strategy is implemented, the resources allocated to preparedness and the Army’s ability to balance operational demands with the protection of its personnel.