original source: UF PRO
Europe's diverse landscapes, from the dense forests of Scandinavia to the rugged mountains of the Balkans, have driven nations to develop unique camouflage patterns. These designs are carefully tailored to provide tactical advantages in specific regions, ensuring military personnel remain concealed and effective in their operations.
In This Blog Post:
- Introduction
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Introduction
This blog explores various European countries and their official camouflage designs. Each pattern has been meticulously developed through rigorous testing, analysis, and adaptation to meet the real-world needs of military operations across different landscapes.
However, please note that this list is not exhaustive. Some countries have been excluded due to incomplete data or lack of comprehensive information. Nonetheless, this guide aims to serve as a valuable reference for tactical operators, highlighting the strategic thought and precision behind each camouflage pattern.
Albania
The Armed Forces of Albania introduced a unique camouflage design in November 2012 during the 100th anniversary of the Albanian state. While the colors bear some resemblance to the German Flecktarn pattern, the design itself is distinct. It incorporates pixelated drawings and larger, more organic shapes, creating an uncommon blend of pixelation with organic forms.
Austria
In September 2017, the Austrian Minister of Defence unveiled a new camouflage uniform for the Bundesheer (Austrian Armed Forces) called the Tarnanzug Neu. This pattern was designed to replace the old solid-color uniforms, known for their RAL 7013 color. Tarnanzug Neu, a multi-environment camouflage pattern, aims to provide effective concealment in most areas rather than perfect camouflage in specific environments. Unlike previous Austrian designs, it uses spots instead of digital elements, sparking mixed reactions from both the public and soldiers.
Belarus
In 2008, Belarus introduced a pixelated camouflage pattern based on the old Russian VSR design. This pattern, featuring tiny pixels of black, reddish-brown, and foliage green on a pale green background, is expected to eventually replace all previous camouflage designs in the Belarusian Armed Forces.
Belgium
The Belgian army has transitioned from the "Jigsaw" camouflage to Multicam. The Jigsaw pattern, known for its angular and irregular shapes in green, brown, and black, was designed to disrupt the wearer's silhouette, offering effective concealment in woodland and forested terrains. However, with the introduction of the Belgian Defence Clothing System, the Jigsaw pattern began to be replaced by Multicam starting in November 2022.
Bulgaria
In May 2018, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense introduced a new series of pixelated camouflage designs to replace the previously issued DPM variants. Two of these patterns use the same color palette as the German Army's Flecktarn and Desert Flecktarn patterns, while the third, with a grey color palette, is intended for the Air Force.
Croatia
In 2005, the Croatian Armed Forces introduced three pixelated camouflage designs intended for use in temperate/woodland, desert, and urban scenarios. The design incorporates a digitized map of Croatia and the initials OSRH (Oružane snage Republike Hrvatske), which stand for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.
Cyprus
Around 2003, the Cypriot National Guard introduced a new camouflage pattern, distinct from the traditional designs associated with the Greek Armed Forces. This pattern, featuring grey-green, stone, and medium grey shapes on a sand background, is not specifically based on any other design. Later variants incorporated the Cypriot National crest within the design.
Czech Republic
In July 2022, the Czech Ministry of Defense announced a new camouflage design to replace the Vz 95, aimed at providing effective concealment in both countryside and urban operations. Officially designated MAD21 (Camouflage Design Pattern 2021), the pattern was influenced by Multicam and its derivatives, drawing on expertise from the Department of Art Education at the University of Prague. While it incorporates a color palette from Multicam, the design retains some elements of the Vz 95.
Denmark
The Danish military’s official camouflage pattern, known as "M/84," features a woodland design with dark green, light green, brown, and black organic shapes. Inspired by Denmark's temperate forests, the M/84 pattern has been the standard camouflage for the Danish Armed Forces since the 1980s.
Estonia
The "ESTDCU" (Estonian Digital Camouflage Uniform) is the official camouflage pattern of the Estonian military, designed to suit the diverse terrains of Estonia. The most recognized version features a digital design that blends shades of green, brown, and black, reflecting the country's temperate forests and woodlands.
Finland
The Finnish military's official camouflage pattern, "M05," includes a family of patterns for woodland, snow, and desert environments. The woodland version, the most recognized, features a digital pattern with green, brown, black, and light gray shapes designed to mimic Finland's forested landscape. Introduced in the 2000s, M05 patterns are intended to provide effective concealment in various Finnish terrains and climates.
France
France’s official military camouflage pattern, "CCE" (Camouflage Centre Europe), is characterized by its woodland design with dark green, light green, brown, and black shapes. Inspired by the temperate forests of Central Europe, CCE has been the standard camouflage for the French Armed Forces since the early 1990s.
Germany
Germany's official military camouflage pattern, "Flecktarn," is recognized for its distinctive dotted appearance. It features small, flecked spots in a mix of green, black, brown, and reddish-brown on a pale green background, designed to provide effective concealment in temperate woodland terrains. Introduced in the 1990s, Flecktarn remains the standard camouflage for the German Bundeswehr.
Greece
The Hellenic camouflage pattern, based on the classic French tenue leopard or 'lizard' design, consists of irregular horizontal earth brown and medium green brushstrokes printed on a light green background. It is highly effective in the dry woodland and arid environments of southern Europe.
Hungary
The Hungarian camouflage pattern, known as 2015M or HunCam, is a 7-color family of designs unveiled in 2015. Designed for varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions, HunCam is used by the Hungarian Defence Force.
Ireland
The Irish DPM camouflage pattern, officially issued in March 2000, was designed by the Belgian firm Seyntex. This four-color pattern features black, reddish-brown, and olive green shapes on a light olive green base. Though called DPM, it has no relation to the British design of the same name. The Irish affectionately refer to their camouflage as "Paddyflage."
Italy
The Italian Army’s current camouflage pattern, "Mimetico Vegetata," was introduced in 2004. This mottled pattern includes chocolate brown, russet, and olive-green shapes on a khaki base. Variations in color have been documented, resulting from different manufacturers producing fabric lots.
Latvia
On April 22, 2020, the Latvian Ministry of Defence introduced the M20 WoodLatPat combat uniform for the National Guard. This new camouflage pattern, known as WoodLatPat, is a departure from the previous M07 LatPat and its derivative, M16 Multi-LatPat. WoodLatPat, a Splinter-type pattern, features straight-edged and angular designs in colors like Wheat, Tan, Peru, SaddleBrown, and OliveDrab, providing effective concealment in various Latvian terrains.
Lithuania
The Lithuanian M05 "Misko" (forest) four-color pattern, first adopted in 2002, has become the standard operational uniform for the Ground Forces. Several color and fabric variations have been documented, and the pattern has undergone mild alterations. The design features the "double-cross" (Cross of Lorraine) motif, embedded as a hidden feature, symbolizing Lithuania’s historical coat of arms.
Luxembourg
Around 2010-2011, Luxembourg introduced a new camouflage pattern for its army, a temperate design somewhat similar to Finland's M05.
Malta
The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) adopted a copy of the Multicam pattern for general issue. While the uniform design follows the British model, the pattern is distinctly Multicam and not MTP.
Moldova
The Moldovan Armed Forces have used a copy of the US M81 woodland design as their standard camouflage pattern since 1996. The Soviet BDU-style uniforms are produced locally but may also be imported from Asia or Ukraine. Some mild color variations have been documented.
Montenegro
In 2009, Montenegro adopted a variation of the Multicam design, incorporating a slightly different combination of colors and embedding a small image of the nation's outline into the pattern.
Netherlands
In 2011, the Dutch Army released prototypes of a new fractal camouflage pattern, referred to as Netherlands Fractal Pattern (NFP). Three versions have been released: NFP Green for temperate/woodland environments, NFP Tan for arid/desert regions, and a transitional design for field equipment. The first uniform pieces began distribution in 2021, with full uniforms replacing the DPM design starting in 2022.
North Macedonia
In 2009, the Macedonian Armed Forces introduced a temperate "digital" camouflage pattern featuring black, brown, and light olive on a green background. They also adopted a desert variant, which includes spice brown, mint green, and off-white on a sandy field.
Norway
The M98 camouflage pattern, used by the Norwegian military since the late 1990s, is characterized by a digital or pixelated design made up of small rectangular pixels in various shades of green and brown.
Poland
The wz. 93 Pantera has become the standard camouflage for the Polish Armed Forces. As the successor to the Camouflage wz. 89 Puma, which was introduced in 1993, the Pantera pattern provides better disruptive camouflage due to its higher contrast compared to the Puma.
Portugal
In February 2018, it was announced that the Portuguese armed forces would adopt a new camouflage pattern known as the M18 or padrão multi-terreno (multi-terrain pattern). Developed with CINAMIL (Centro De Investigação Desenvolvimento e Inovação da Academia Militar), this design features a five-color palette similar to Multicam, with shapes inspired by German flecktarn.
Russia
In 2008, Russia unveiled a pixelated camouflage design intended to replace the VSR and Flora patterns. Officially named единая маскировочная расцветка (Edinaya maskirovochnaya rascvetka) or EMR, which translates to Unified Camouflage Coloration, this pattern is commonly referred to as Tsifra, Tetris, or "digital flora." The most prevalent variant is the leto (summer) version, which incorporates black, reddish-brown, and foliage green pixels on a pale green background. Other variations include sever (for northern regions), zima (winter), and gorod (urban). Full-scale adoption began in 2011.
Serbia
Since the fall of 2010, the Serbian Army has been using a new pixelated camouflage pattern, designated M-MDU-10. Created by the Military Technical Institute (VTI), this design is a slightly fragmented, scaled-down, and pixelated version of the earlier M-MDU-02 pattern.
Slovakia
In 2007, Slovakia introduced two new camouflage patterns. The temperate variant, officially named vz 2007 Les (forest) pattern, features brown, dark green, and khaki square and rectangular shapes of various sizes on an olive green background. This pattern is informally known as Kocky (cubes).
Slovenia
SloCam, short for Slovenia Camouflage and now officially known as M12, was introduced between 2012 and 2013. Initially used by NATO-partnered Special Operations Forces, it soon became the standard issue for the Slovenian Army.
Spain
In December 2009, the Spanish Army introduced two new pixelated camouflage patterns intended to replace the previous leaf pattern. These include the M09 Ejercito pixelado boscoso (woodland) pattern.
Sweden
The M90 camouflage pattern, primarily used by the Swedish Armed Forces, was introduced in the 1990s. It features a geometric design with hard-edged, sharp shapes in green, black, dark green, and light green, ideal for the forests and rocky terrains of Scandinavia.
Switzerland
The TAZ 90 (TarnAnZug in German and TASS 90 in French) is the current standard camouflage pattern for the Swiss Armed Forces' battledress and service dress uniforms. The four-color pattern, consisting of tan, brown, green, and black, is a development of the Taz 57 and Taz 83 (Alpenflage) patterns, which it replaced in the early 1990s. The TAZ 90 pattern is based on Alpenflage but excludes the white spots and red color present in the original, along with some minor adjustments.
Ukraine
Since 2014, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including elite units like the Airborne Forces, have adopted an arid/desert pixelated camouflage design. This pattern blends brown, khaki, and light olive areas on a sand-colored background and is referred to as MM-14 by some Ukrainian sources.
United Kingdom
The Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) is the official camouflage pattern for the United Kingdom's Army. Designed for versatility across various environments, including woodland, desert, and urban settings, MTP replaced the older Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) camouflage, which had been in use for several decades.
