Keeping pace with the fast-changing nature of modern warfare, the Indian Army has opted for a new combat uniform and displayed it for the first time on Saturday. The all-weather-friendly uniform could provide camouflage to the soldiers in all kinds of terrain and battlefield.

The new uniform was donned by the elite commandos of the Parachute Regiment here on Saturday during the Army Day parade witnessed by Army Chief General M M Naravane. The Pioneer had reported on December 3 last year about the new initiative.

The newspaper had also said the marching contingents in the Republic Day parade now would don the uniform of a different era starting over 100 years ago.

Unlike the previous years when the contingents wore the dress of their regiments, the Republic Day this year will see the troops marching past the saluting dais in uniform ranging from those worn during World War I, World War II and other campaigns.

The new combat uniform, which features a mix of colours, including olive and earthen, has been designed taking into considerations aspects like areas of deployment of the troops and climatic conditions in which they operate.

The new uniform has been designed after analysing combat uniforms of armies of various other countries, in association with the National Institute of Fashion Technology. This uniform is more comfortable and it would be worn in all types of terrains, sources said.

The digital disruptive pattern is designed with help of computer aid, they said.

The shirt in the new uniform does not have to be tucked in the trouser. The shirt in the old uniform had to be tucked in. The new uniforms will not be available in the open market.

The sources said the new combat uniform is of a digital pattern which will help the personnel to have better camouflage in the battlefield besides comfort.

The Army is likely to switch over to the new combat uniform from mid this year.  The uniform will be a mix of colours, including olive and earthen.  The uniform is formally known as battle dress uniforms (BDU).

Several countries, including the US and European armies, have switched over to digital pattern uniforms. The Indian Army decided to change its combat uniform after studying the dress of these countries, officials said.

To ensure safety and comfort element in the operational areas, the uniform is camouflaged, either in monochrome such as shades of green or brown to blend in with the background.

The new combat uniform is made of lighter and durable material suitable for both summer and winter as the Army operates in all kinds of terrain ranging from minus 40 degrees at the Siachen Glacier to 50 degrees plus in the Thar desert.

Meanwhile, the Army was working on the issue of having shoulder or collar tags marking the rank of the personnel.  Some armies around the world have such rank markings on the button of their combat uniform.

However, some others prefer to have no rank or tags on the shoulders to maintain secrecy on the battlefield.

With more than 13 lakh troops on its roll, it will take some months before the entire Army is provided with the new combat uniform, sources said.  They also said the authorities were mulling over changes in the present olive green regular.