The French Army has just released a new version of their combat uniform. Based on operational feedback from numerous Afghanistan deployments, the “Tenue de Combat Nouvelle Génération” features a new, rip-stop fabric. Referred to in some circles as the FELIN uniform, as a nod the the French Future Soldier ensemble (Fantassin à Équipement et Liaisons Intégrés or Integrated Equipment and Communications Infantryman) it retains the Camouflage Centre Europe pattern currently in use. We have not seen a version released in the desert pattern yet.
The production schedule is quite ambitious hoping to field 365,000 trousers and 265,000 jackets in the first half of 2010.
One interesting feature are the outboard side opening pockets, accessible while wearing armor. These pockets replace the napoleon-style previously used. As you can see in the photo, the patch pockets have slots for magazines. The sleeves now also integrate a Velcro closure. Additionally, the Canadian slotted buttons found along the front opening of earlier versions of the combat jacket have been replaced with Velcro in order to be more comfortable under body armor. The jacket also has Velcro for the placement of various badges. Finally, the trousers now feature a bellows with zipper to ease donning and doffing and the knee and elbows will accept soft or hard inserts.
Photographs: SCA/ADC Guédon