The Canadian DnD has just issued a tender through Public Works for 25,270 “Hybrid Shirts” in CADPAT(AR) to be delivered by 31 March 2010. The documentation describes the “Hybrid Shirt” as having “a knit material body and FR fabric arms in Canadian Disruptive Pattern Arid Regions (CADPAT AR)”.
Something you have to know is that everything purchased by the Canadian military is purchased through Public Works and Government Services Canada. I know it sounds kind of odd to us Americans but it’s how they do things.
As for the requirement itself, it’s kind of interesting. Industry insiders tell us that the specified body material is the Cordura no-melt, no-drip fabric we wrote about last year. Incidentally, the Tru-Spec Combat Shirt also utilizes the same Cordura fabric for the body. The Cordura fabric offers a lower cost alternative to the more expensive performance FR materials used in many combat ensembles. No-melt, no-drip fabrics are sort of a “do no harm” option and are generally based on natural fibers with performance enhancing treatments.
What is intriguing in all of this is that there is a Canadian connection to this fabric. Tac Wear had the exclusive on that fabric for awhile and pioneered its use in military base layers. In fact, they produced the initial run of t-shirts, some of which were offered through military outfitter Ranger Joes near Fort Benning, Georgia. Wonder how TW will dare on this procurement.
So the news is good for the Canadian soldier. Sort of. Eight years into the war they are finally starting to procure proper load carrying systems and uniforms. Unfortunately, the Hybrid Shirts won’t be available until Spring of next year. On the other hand, for those of you who can’t wait, CP Gear offers a full range of load carrying solutions as well as combat clothing such as the OTW Shirt seen above.