Thousands of British soldiers are to be vaccinated against anthrax poisoning in a direct response to the recent nerve agent attack in Salisbury.

The announcement is part of a range of measures that will be announced by the Defence Secretary on Thursday, including £48m that will be invested to create a "cutting-edge" Chemical Weapons Defence Centre at Porton Down in Wiltshire.

"If we doubted the threat Russia poses to our citizens, we only have to look at the shocking example of their reckless attack in Salisbury," Gavin Williamson will say in a speech later.

"We know the chemical threat doesn't just come from Russia but from others.

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"I made the decision to offer the anthrax vaccine to our high-readiness forces providing them with vital protection against a deadly danger."


Earlier in the week, senior MOD officials admitted that the military's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) capabilities have been "overlooked" in recent years and will almost certainly receive more funding as a result of the ongoing defence review.

The Army's dedicated CBRN regiment was stood down in 2012, a move critics have dismissed as short-sighted.

The regiment's former commanding officer, Hamish de-Bretton Gordon has welcomed the news.

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He said: "This is an excellent and speedy reaction to the very serious situation we're in.

"It's absolutely right we developed a capable defence against these weapons that could be used against us in future.

"The vaccination of soldiers is the reintroduction of a programme that was widespread in the Cold War and an appropriate measure to protect our troops."

Recent Russian behaviour has given fresh impetus to the MOD's attempts to win more money for the defence budget.

It is expected the Prime Minister will announce the results of the review in time for the NATO summit in the summer.

:: Anthrax is a bacterial infection that causes severe skin ulceration, a type of pneumonia and can be fatal.

It is considered a viable choice as a biological weapon as its spores are inert and easily stored until ingested. Anthrax spores can be put into powders, sprays, food and water, but is most dangerous when it is inhaled.

The most recent attack was in the US in September 2001, when anonymous letters laced with deadly anthrax spores were sent to media companies and congressional offices, killing five people and infecting 17 others.