Legal Definitions - Defense Threat Reduction Agency

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is a unit within the U.S. Department of Defense that is responsible for reducing the risk of and defending against attacks involving weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.

The DTRA was established in 1998 to address the growing threat of weapons of mass destruction and to develop strategies to prevent and respond to such attacks. The agency works closely with other government agencies, as well as international partners, to achieve its mission.

Examples of the DTRA's work include:

• Developing technologies to detect and identify weapons of mass destruction
• Providing training and support to military and civilian personnel on how to respond to a WMD attack
• Coordinating with other countries to secure and eliminate dangerous materials

These examples illustrate how the DTRA is actively working to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction and protect the United States and its allies from potential attacks.