The threat of weapons of mass destruction persists in the current era, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, as he inaugurated the country’s first academic and operational facility exclusively for military medicine.

The defence minister virtually inaugurated the Department of Military Medicine at the Command Hospital (Central Command) in Lucknow, asserting it will serve as a hub for research and development, preparing the nation to deal with “emerging threats”.

Highlighting the growing importance of military medicine, Singh said the discipline studies the physical and mental stresses on soldiers during combat situations.

“Our soldiers are deployed in some of the world’s most complex regions and harshest climates, exposed to diverse challenges. This new department will develop medical protocols tailored for these operational environments,” he said.