Set to replace the current Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) and Australian Multicam Pattern Operational Combat Uniform (AMP OCU) as Australian Army’s only camouflage uniform, the Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform (AMCU) was officially launched earlier today at the Chief of Army’s Exercise in Brisbane.

(From left) Private Stephanie Sims, Private Nicolette Lane, Corporal Dean George, and Lance Corporal Keith Hall at the Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform launch during the biennial Chief of Army’s Exercise. (Photo: Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence)

As we’ve mentioned in the past, the new Australian MultiCam Pattern is a hybrid pattern and color palette that combines pattern features of AMP OCU with the original color palette used for the DPCU. The kit consists of Combat and Field uniforms as well as Bush Hat, Belt and Rank Slides. Each Close Combat Soldier will receive 2 Combat uniforms and 3 Field uniforms while all others will be issued 3 Field uniforms. The design for the Combat uniform has been slightly simplified from the previous issue and all gear will be manufactured in Australia. Rollout begins next month.

Australian Army soldier Corporal Thomas McCammont from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, helps a team-mate over an obstacle during the Duke of Gloucester Cup at Singleton, NSW. (Photo: Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence)

Features

AMCU Combat Shirt:
-High collar in woven fabric with zip closure.
-Knit fabric body with no pockets to allow for comfort under body armor.
-Integrated elbow pad.
-Woven fabric raglan sleeves.
-Angled sleeve pockets with Velcro closure.
-Velcro adjustment tabs at cuffs.
-Pen pocket on left sleeve.

AMCU Combat Pant:
-Stretch woven fabric in back yoke (below waistband), crotch and around knee.
-Adjustable waist with advanced design.
-Padded waistband.
-Button and zip front fly closure.
-Reinforced saddle seat.
-Integrated knee pad.
-Knee pad is snugly held in correct location using elasticised cord adjustment(connects to front thigh pockets) and Velcro closure tabs at the side of the knee.
-2 side thigh pockets with zip closure.
-2 lower front thigh pockets (external – contains toggle and elasticised draw cord for knee pad adjustment) with Velcro closure.
-2 front pockets below waistband (internal).
-2 lower leg pockets with Velcro closure.
-Cord and cord lock adjustment at cuffs

Private Stephanie Sims at the Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform launch during the biennial Chief of Army’s Exercise. (Photo: Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence)

AMCU Field Shirt:
-Based on the current DPCU shirt.
-Near infrared (NIR) fabric.
-5 button closure at the centre front.
-Chest pockets with zip closure.
-Sleeve pockets with button closure.
-Shorter coat length than current shirt.
-Velcro adjustment tabs at cuffs.
-Rank slide at chest
-Increased width at coat hem compared to current shirt.
-Graded sleeve length.

AMCU Field Pant:
-Stretch woven fabric in back yoke (below waistband) and crotch.
-Button and zip front fly closure.
-Adjustable waist with advanced design.
-Padded waistband.
-Integrated knee pad with Velcro closure tab.
-2 side thigh pockets with zip closure.
-2 front pockets below waistband (internal).
-Cord and cord lock adjustment at cuffs.

Australia’s Assistant Minister for Defence, The Hon Stuart Robert MP said in an interview with Foreign Affairs,

“Defence is pleased to partner with Australian companies to manufacture the AMCU. I am confident the manufacturing of the AMCU in Australia not only supports local business, but also maintains high standards and keeps pace with current technology,” Mr Robert said.

“At the moment there are two manufacturers for the AMCU – Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) and Pacific Brands Workwear Group (PBWG).”

The Australian Army offers a great fact sheet for those interested.

In closing, I’d like to point out that the Australian government modified this pattern (which is a national MultiCam derivative designed for them by Crye Precision) at their in-house labs. They could do this because they paid for the pattern.