The Nordic Combat Uniform system (NCU) is a cooperation among Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden with the goal of procuring a combat uniform system with accessories. It is intended as an all service (army, navy, air force, home guard and special forces) combat uniform system for male and female soldiers. It is an inner to outer combat uniform system (from head to toe), which is functional in worldwide operations.
The concept is to come up with a multi-layer combat uniform system which is functional in arctic, tropical and arid environments. While a common Nordic camouflage pattern has been looked at, it is not a component of NCU at this time. Consequently, any NCU components will be procured by the various countries in their national patterns.
NCU should provide:
– Improved combat endurance for the Soldier
– Improved protection from environmental and other indirect threats
– Improved modularity and flexibility
– Reduced overall weight and volume over legacy systems
NCU will replace:
– Light and heavy field uniform in Woodland/MultiCam patterns
– Light arod and tropical uniforms
– Shell garments in Woodland/MultiCam and Arid patterns
– Insulation jacket/trousers
– Under Armor (Combat) Shirt in Woodland and Arid patterns
– Winter Camouflage uniform (overwhites)
– Base and Mid layer clothing
NCU will also determine whether hand and footwear should be rolled into the program.
Although the initial concept goes back to 2011, the program is currently underway with selection of candidiate items coming soon along with Developmental and Operational Testing. The program hopes to begin fielding by 2019.
To keep tabs on the program, visit www.nordefco.org/ncu.
Ambitious.
Will it be the Eurofighter of uniform systems?
I doubt with the advanced uniform systems each of these countries already has that this is going to come about so soon. Why can’t they all wear matching armbands?
I smell trouble brewing.
Funny…I thought those countries already had a classic look for Nordic Combat:
http://www.walldevil.com/wallpapers/a80/viking-battle.jpg
If this becomes the Eurofighter of uniforms then it’s because the industry won’t stop whining about what the final decision is… It’s being done like a traditional project where the bidders simply have their bid open to 4 countries instead of 1.
Where I think they mess up is by not including footwear, gloves or headgear…
Could this (partially) explain why the Finns chose not to renew the copyright protections of their M/05 pattern?
Will be interesting to see what style of pattern is chosen, since all of the Nordic countries have fairly distinct and uniquely effective patterns in use between them.
Different camo patterns for the different countries.