A rapidly activated thermal battery (1), the battery comprising at least one electrochemical cell (6) and at least one heat source. Each cell (6) comprises an anode (7), a cathode (8) and an electrolyte (9) and each heat source comprises a heating element (2) which is in direct contact with a compressed heat pellet (3) of a pyrotechnic material. The heating element is placed proximate to the cell and a current applied to the heating element (2) ignites the heat pellet (3). The heat generated by the burning heat pellet (3) causes the electrolyte (9) to become conductive, activating the battery.
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