Made of durable fabric with digital pattern to give better camouflage
With changing nature of modern warfare in mind, the Indian Army is going for a change of its combat uniform. The new kit will be on display at the Army Day parade here on January 15 next year.
Interestingly, the marching contingents in the Republic Day parade next year will don the uniform of different era starting over 100 years ago.
Unlike the previous years when the contingents wore the dress of their regiments, the Republic Day next year will see the troops marching past the saluting dais in uniform ranging from those worn during the World War I, World War II and other campaigns, sources said here on Wednesday.
As regards the new combat uniform, they said it is of a digital pattern which will help the personnel to have better camouflage in the battlefield besides comfort. Unlike the past, the officers and men will not tuck in the shirt inside their trousers to provide them more comfort and fluidity in movement, sources said.
The Army is likely to switch over to the new combat uniform from mid next 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 uniform. 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 uniform worn by officers and troops.