Navy

HMS Lancaster Sailors to be First to Wear New Royal Navy Uniform

Sailors on board HMS Lancaster will become the first to wear the Royal Navy’s first new uniform in 70 years when their ship sails from Portsmouth on a nine-month Atlantic patrol on Saturday.

It's the first major change to naval dress since the Second World War, and will see the replacement of the traditional lighter-blue shirt and trousers worn by sailors at sea, known as 'No 4s'.

The new clothing is now dark blue and more modern, comfortable and fire retardant. It can be adapted to different climates, will offer more protection from flash fires, and will move badges denoting rank from the shoulders to the front of the uniform.

The Commanding Officer of HMS Lancaster, Commander Peter Laughton, said:

“We are extremely proud and genuinely delighted to be the first ship to wear the Royal Navy’s new uniform. It is a really practical, smart and modern uniform, and the extra branding allows us to much better represent our Service.

"This will most certainly be the case during our current deployment where we are due to transit in excess of 30,000 nautical miles and visit up to eighteen different countries.”

Vice Admiral Sir David Steel, who has just left his post as the Second Sea Lord and who oversaw the changes, said the input of sailors was vital.

“It is time for the individuals in the Navy to change the way they are presented. We have always been professional, but we did look a bit out of date,” he said.

“This is a modern uniform which suits a modern Navy. But the most important thing is that it is comfortable to wear in the extremes of climate in which the Royal Navy operates – from the Antarctic to the Gulf.

Around 22,000 sets of the new uniform will initially be issued to operational and sea-going ships before being rolled out across the rest of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary throughout 2015.

If you're interested in military uniforms, click here for a look at how British soldiers’ kit has changed over the last 1,000 years....