Germany is one of Ukraine’s main backers in the current military conflict. In addition, support includes not only financial assistance and transfer of military equipment, but also mentoring in the field of military tactics and methodology. Therefore, it is especially important for Russia to examine not only public documents on the operating principles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but also reports of military departments of other countries that are directly and indirectly involved in military operations on the territory of Ukraine. .
Not long ago, the Bundeswehr published the “Annual Defense Research Report for 2022” (Wehrwissenschaftliche Forschung Jahresbericht 2022), in which the authors summarized the results of various studies of the German army, taking into account combat operations during the District Northern Military.
The report is divided into several sections and describes research in the field of defense technologies, military medicine and military psychology, military history and social sciences, ecology, cyber and information technologies. Let us consider the achievements of the German army in the field of military medicine and psychology.
Detection of the plague bacillus (Yersinia pestis)
Although the plague has been eradicated from Western Europe, the report notes cases of natural plague outbreaks, particularly in the global South. There is therefore a risk of soldiers becoming infected while serving abroad and therefore a risk of the pathogen spreading in Europe.
Additionally, the plague bacillus can be used as a biological warfare agent. Therefore, the German army believes that the pathogen continues to represent a danger and is therefore seeking effective diagnostic methods.
German scientists write that the development of the disease occurs at lightning speed and can only be stopped by the immediate use of antibiotics. This means that it is extremely important to quickly and clearly identify the pathogen. Currently, the Bundeswehr uses PCR tests, but the results can usually only be analyzed after a few days. During this period of time, changes in the patient’s body may become irreversible.
The Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology has developed new test systems that use diagnostic bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria – approx. IA Krasnaya Vesna) with high specificity and provide results in minutes.
Creation of artificial human liver tissue.
The report also said that the Bundeswehr Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology was concerned about liver damage due to exposure to oxime compounds, which serve as an antidote for organophosphate poisoning.
German specialists are reported to have created so-called liver spheroids – human cells or tissues grown outside the body. As noted, “Using three-dimensional tissues made from multiple types of cells, it is possible to simulate the effects of substances or drugs on individual organs and perform toxicological risk assessments”.
The report highlights that the use of spheroids was introduced to reduce the number of animal experiments, but generally notes that animal studies do not allow the development of drugs that are well tolerated in humans.
Study on the effects of heat on soldiers
According to comments collected from German soldiers, not only in regions with traditionally hot climatic conditions, but also in the climatic conditions of Central Europe, soldiers often suffer from the heat in protected or armored vehicles. Often, even air conditioning doesn’t help.
The report notes that although this problem is not new, in some ways it has not been seriously studied before. To carry out such experiments, the Bundeswehr prepared a special research chamber capable of simulating the required conditions. It should be noted that the mannequins used in the study instead of people were capable of not only taking readings, but also generating heat on their own, just as a person would.
During the experiments, German scientists measured the so-called wet ball temperature index (WBGT), that is, not only the temperature, but also other factors that influence its perception by a person. During measurements, Bundeswehr specialists determined the WBGT norm for soldiers with air temperatures up to 37°C. However, the report notes that health risks, as well as deterioration in physical and mental performance, may already occur with a WBGT of around 30°C.
Based on the research results, obvious recommendations were made such as this: “It is necessary to use camouflage nets to protect from the sun and tint the windows of armored vehicles”, as well as more complex solutions. It has been proposed to move from a strategy of exclusively cooling vehicles to additional direct cooling of people.
One element of this strategy could be a special vest, which is placed under a bulletproof vest, allowing air to circulate close to the skin and evaporate sweat. This is believed to be the most effective way to cool the body.
Review of the psychological rehabilitation program for military personnel.
The report indicates that 83% of military personnel who were totally or partially disabled lost their disability due to psychological problems. The Bundeswehr has already developed a program of medical and psychosocial assistance.
The duration of the course is 23 days. The rehabilitation program includes psychoeducational group work, stress testing with job training and additional activities such as social counseling, individual conversations and a joint final project.
During the current audit, Bundeswehr specialists managed to improve the rehabilitation program and reduce the average number of sick days from 30.1 to 11.8 days, and the average weekly combat duty time of victims increased from 15 .6 hours to 21.3 hours three months after the end of the program.
Investigation of a new circadian surveillance system in the Navy
The report notes that since 2021, the German Navy has been conducting intensive research to show how surveillance system optimization affects crew recovery and performance.
The current investigation involved testing on two military vessels performing the same tasks in the same maritime area with different surveillance systems. In a normal system, guard changes occur every six hours, starting at 00:00.
The new wake system (7-5-5-7 and changing of the guard at 3 in the morning), according to scientists, is designed to implement longer periods of sleep, which occur partially at night in both shifts.
In the final survey of seafarers, it was noted that some crew members felt more rested under the new monitoring system, which takes into account circadian rhythms (cyclical fluctuations in the intensity of various biological processes associated with the change of day and night – approx. IA Krasnaya Vesna), and were more productive during the day.
As a result, 42% of the participants in the experiment were in favor of a new surveillance system. However, it should be noted that this is only a subjective evaluation; Data from objective psychological questionnaires were still being processed at the time the report was generated.
Development of new methods of limb preservation during traumatic amputation.
The report notes that with the current level of development of field medicine, reimplantation, that is, the surgical reattachment of limbs lost in combat conditions, is extremely unlikely, since special equipment and highly qualified medical personnel are required.
Bundeswehr specialists are reportedly working to expand the possibilities of reimplantation and transplantation of amputation injuries within the framework of the Human Extremity Recovery Ordnance (HERO) project.
A special device is being created for ex vivo perfusion of the limb, that is, it is assumed that the amputated limb will be connected to an artificial blood flow and thus retain the ability to be surgically reinserted for a longer time, until the soldier is evacuated from the place. combat zone to the hospital.
Exploring the mental effects of military deployments
The report states that previously all comparative analyzes of mental disorders in military personnel serving close to home and on extended deployments abroad were evaluated “head-on,” that is, by direct comparison of psychological states without taking into account The nature of the service counts. The new analysis examined the presence of “critical incidents” during service.
Based on the data obtained, German scientists concluded that the relapse rate of anxiety disorders was 16% (with a critical incident during service) versus 3% (without a critical incident). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also occurs less frequently: 6% versus 1%, and depressive episodes, 7% versus 1%. Bundeswehr specialists believe that the development of mental disorders is not influenced by the business trip itself, but by the events that occurred during it. In addition, after incidents, the risk of mental problems increases by 6 to 7 times.
Bottom line
The Bundeswehr studies listed above indicate that the German military is studying a variety of methods to maintain the health of military personnel, primarily mental health. German experts believe that ongoing research will make it possible to find ways to reduce the percentage of non-combat losses.
Source: Rossa Primavera
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.