All set for the summer: Dutch armed forces receive first batch of new camo uniforms
Back in 2021, the Dutch armed forces started to receive a temporary uniform in their new camouflage pattern – Netherlands Fractal Pattern – and now the first stocks of their official uniform have arrived.
The new items of clothing belong to a family called Defensie Operationeel Kleding Systeem (DOKS), which means Defence Operational Clothing System.
When the new camouflage pattern was introduced, it was worn on interim items of clothing, but the first shipment of DOKS combat uniforms has now been received from German manufacturer Hexonia.
Different branches, different colours
The Dutch defence ministry said the new clothing – which is set to replace the current range of armed forces uniforms – would be stockpiled so it could be issued after the summer.
The navy will receive DOKS uniforms in NFP Blue, while the army, air force and marine corps will wear NFP Green.
The Marechaussee – a constabulary that performs both military and civil duties and is part of the armed forces – will receive the new uniforms in plain blue.
Multi-layered and multi-sized
DOKS is a forces-wide multi-layer clothing system with an emphasis on offering an extensive range of sizing options to fit everyone in the Dutch military, regardless of their body type or gender.
Speaking last year, the senior project leader on the DOKS programme, identified only as Franco, said: "The clothing package is unisex.
"You may think women's and men's bodies are different, but the sizing, with 35 different sizes, is designed to fit every soldier.
"In general, the reactions to this are positive. But there were also points for improvement from the feedback, which we are going to process to make everything even more appropriate.
"This gives the pants [trousers] a slightly wider fit that can be adjusted better. The same goes for the jacket – it had a V-shape. Now we are looking at a slightly flared fit, where more variation in waist is possible."
What are personnel due to be issued?
In common with most modern armed forces, the DOKS system caters for a number of operational requirements.
These include a range of lighter barracks-style clothing supplemented by waterproof kit, a heavier-duty smock-type jacket and UBACS (under body armour combat shirt).
"Another point was that soldiers sometimes experienced the uniform as warm," said Franco.
"We are now trying to make it more breathable. We also look at the whole combinations of clothing or a looser fit, where more ventilation is possible. We will test that again in warm conditions."
What about the camo?
The standard NFP Green pattern is made up of four colours – three shades of green plus brown.
These are arranged in a pattern that is more blocky than MTP or MultiCam, but not as unnaturally pixellated as a scheme such as Marpat.
While the Dutch armed forces have chosen to adopt different camouflage colours across the various branches, similar to the United States, the UK, in contrast, keeps things simple with Multi-Terrain Pattern across the board.
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