After lengthy trials with various camouflage designs, the Canadian Forces has selected a new pattern for its standard combat uniform. Requests for submissions have been sent to fabric manufacturers for bids to supply material for the new design with the initial order of some 390,000 metres of material. Bids should be submitted by May 12.
This new unique design will eventually replace two of the current digital designs. Can you spot the discreet Maple Leaf? (DND-MDN Canada)
Until the late 1990’s Canadian soldier combat uniforms were a simple solid olive green colour. In the digital age, this did not provide a suitable degree of camouflage. Extensive research then resulted in a more high-tech design for the Canadian “combats” (known as “fatigues” in the U.S.)
This unique pixelated digital design for combat operations is known as CADPAT-TW (Canadian Disruptive Pattern- Temperate Woodland).
Detail of the CADPAT-TW design, Canada was the first to adopt a digital design ( Cpl Beaudoin- wikipedia)
An additional design known as CADPAT-AR (Arid Regions) was hastily created in 2003 after soldiers were first sent to Afghanistan wearing the forest green TW combats which stood out glaringly against the desert-like tan and light brown background of the country.
July 2006, a soldier from 1 PPCLI surveys terrain west of Kandahar. The CADPAT AR design was created after soldiers were initially sent to the desert like conditions in highly visible forest green uniforms. (MCpl Robert Bottrill, Combat Camera)
The new pattern is known as CADPAT-MT (Multi-Terrain) and will eventually replace both the TW and AR versions. The design is part of the ongoing Soldier Operational Clothing and Equipment Modernization (SOCEM) programme. That programme is also looking at new developments in footwear, ballistic helmets, ballistic vests and armour plates, small backpacks, and load carrying packs
Ordering of cloth is the first step in the new process. The eventual new combat uniforms will also be available in about double the size options which will also aid in becoming more “gender” specific
Special operations units have been using a separate American Multi-Cam design and it is expected that may continue.
( * if you didn’t spot the tiny maple leaf in the new design, look in the dead centre of the image)
additional information-sources
- Ottawa Citizen- D. Pugliese: Apr 8/21: Canadian military to improve uniforms as new camouflage pattern selected
- Canadian Army- Feb 27/20: Army Public Affairs- Canada finds the sweet spot with new camouflage pattern
- Canadian Army Today: Sep 4/19: Uniform, camouflage, and equipment modernisation
- Canadian Army Today:, Oct 31/19: Trials of Prototype J
- Canadian Army Today: Apr 15/20: Army finalizing new camouflage pattern
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