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possibility of entering into a joint space research effort. Reportedly the Danes would provide the test stations, tele-command systems, and biomedical equipment, while the Soviets would provide the launch systems and conduct the actual experiments. No information is available indicating the outcome of these negotiations.
Denmark is not engaged in significant research on ground weapons; most of such materiel is purchased abroad. Although research on small arms has been underway for the past two decades, the army has adopted only one locally developed weapon, a submachine gun. Research has ceased in this field, as well as on engineering, transportation, and quartermaster equipment. Although Denmark has a potential capability to develop small naval vessels and marine engines, it has not chosen to do so.
2. Biological and chemical warfare (S)
Denmark has no offensive biological warfare (BW) research and development program, although some research related to defensive BW is conducted. Laboratories engaged in defense-related research, through the development of vaccines and biologicals for public health needs, are located at the State Serum Institute, Copenhagen, and the National Veterinary Institute for Virus Research on the island of Lindholm. Research applicable to BW agent detection also has been carried on, e.g. development of interference filters for improved immunofluorescence microscopy.
The chemical warfare research and development program is directed primarily toward the improvement of defensive materiel. Research on the offensive aspect is conducted on a limited scale. The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy and the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College, both in Copenhagen, may produce small quantities of G-type nerve agents developed during World War II; this work is in support of the chemical agent detection and antidote program. Toxicological studies have been conducted an organophosphorus-related compounds. These compounds seem to be more potent when oxygen is substituted for sulphur in the thiocholine moiety of the V-type molecule.
Research has been conducted to develop a rapid colorimetric process for field detection of nerve agents. Work is also underway toward the development of a chemical agent identification set that utilizes silica gel impregnated sampling tubes. The Danes also plan to improve US kits, including the M18, by expanding the nerve agent detection capability to include V-agents through the use of an enzyme ticket. The Danes consider the disposable protective clothing designed to meet NATO requirements too expensive to produce. As an alternate approach, a project is underway to test the resistance of many commercial materials to penetration by mustard and lewisite in an effort to develop an inexpensive, disposable chemical-biological-radiological cape. Numerous toxicity studies, which could lead to a better antidote for never agent poisoning and improved prophylactic methods have been undertaken. Other research on nerve agent antidotes for field use includes studies on the effectiveness of a variety of oxide compounds in conjunction with atropine, the standard antidote.
3. Nuclear energy (S)
Denmark has a small nuclear energy program consisting primarily of research activities with nuclear power development as the ultimate objective. It has no military potential in nuclear weapons and has no plans for efforts in this field.
The Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1956 to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The AEK is composed of representatives of scientific and technical research organizations, as well as others interested in the exploitation of nuclear energy. The Riso Research Establishment was begun in 1958 and is equipped with three research reactors and a number of laboratories. The DR-1 (Danish Reactor-1) is a 2-kilowatt thermal (kWt) aqueous homogenous reactor which went into operation in 1957; the DR-2, a 5-megawatt thermal (MWt) high flux, tank-type reactor, which went into operation in 1958; and the DR-3, a 10-MWt high flux, materials-testing reactor that went into operation in 1960.
Research at the Riso Research Establishment is divided into fundamental research, research concerning reactor technology, and other technological research, such as physics, chemistry, medicine, biology, geology, metallurgy, and agriculture. The fuel elements program includes testing of design variables, process development, irradiation conditions and post-irradiation examination. In addition to using their own test facilities, the Riso Research Establishment utilizes the Halden reactor in Norway and the Kahl reactor in West Germany. Test elements and full-size fuel elements are manufactured by the Riso laboratories in collaboration with the Elsinor Shipbuilding and Engineering Company of Denmark.
Although Denmark has no immediate plans to construct nuclear power reactors, there have been discussions regarding the construction of 500-megawatt electric (MWe) nuclear power stations in the late 1970s, and five sites in the Jutland and Fyn areas have been studied for this purpose.
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110017-5
