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Posts Tagged ‘Netherlands’

Applied Orange – High Performance Combat Sock Summer

Friday, September 21st, 2012

Dutch combat clothing producer Applied Orange has introduced their new High Performance Combat Sock Summer. They are made from a blend of Cordura, CoolMax and Silver Nanoparticles to control fungal growth.

About a month ago, they sent me a pair and I have worn them several times. They worked as advertised and I didn’t notice any hot spots in a variety of footwear. Granted, I didn’t wear them with new boots, and the ones that I did wear were well broken in, but I can tell that you aren’t going to run into any issues with these.

Up front I’ll tell you that I was a bit put off by the knee high design. Additionally, I’m used to socks with a thicker nap. However, there are explanations for both of these features. According to AO, both British and Dutch troops like to turn the tops down over the tops of their boots. Fair enough. It’s a different style than I’m used to. Additionally, the thin sock will dry much faster in the field. One of the issues with sock featuring thick naps is getting them to dry, particularly in a hot-wet environment.

Overall, I like them. They are intended as a hot weather sock and AO told me that they have a winter sock coming soon.

Available in four sizes, these are manufactured in the EU and are available from ao-store.com/high-performance-socks

Breaking News – Dutch Seeking New Combat Uniforms

Thursday, August 9th, 2012

Earlier today, the Dutch military released a solicitation seeking manufacture of a new combat uniform.

-A new basic combat uniform for the entire armed force of the Netherlands including the Army, Air Force and most likely Marines as well
-Made in the official new camouflage pattern of the Netherlands, Fractal Pattern Green (NFP Green) and most likely adapted as well, NFP-TAN (Arid version)
-180 grams Flame Retardant fabric with insect repellant qualities
-Initial delivery of 13500 sets in the first year for NFP-Green uniforms

So far we don’t have any official photos of this new pattern. However, we understand that the basic pattern geometry in this photo is correct although there may be some slight shading changes.

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104995 00 Jas en Broek Basis Vlamwerend en Insectenwerend

An Interesting Insight Into The European Profession of Arms

Sunday, December 11th, 2011

This speech by General Petrus J.M. “Peter” van Uhm, Chief of the Netherlands Defence Staff at TEDxAmsterdam gives us a pretty interesting look into the mindset driving the profession of arms in Western European democracies. He exhibits an interesting attitude toward firearms that is foreign in ore ways than one to us here in the US, but his reasons for service are an excellent example for those who must regularly interact with those who do not hold military service in high regard.

New Dutch Camo and Uniform?

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

According to several internet postings, the accompanying pictures is reportedly of a new camouflage pattern and uniform for the Dutch Army.

Unveiled at a recent Army shooting competition, the garrison and field variants are reportedly to see fielding beginning in 2014 as an extension of the Soldier Modernization Program (in Dutch, VOSS for the English Improved Operational Soldier System). It is anticipated that this variant, intended for woodland and urban environments, will not see any further alteration. The pattern is of the so-called fractal design, which uses patterns within patterns. Additionally, there is an arid pattern under development. As you can see, the Soldiers are in front of a TenCate sign. According to reporting, the uniforms are made from TenCate’s Defender-M fabric, which is the same fabric story as the Army’s FR ACU and USMC’s FROG.