The New Zealand Army’s 1st Brigade has begun to field the new Multi-Terrain Camouflage Uniform.
The new garb features incorporated knee and elbow pads and there is also an FR version for operational deployments. They are part of a new layered clothing system includes wet and cold weather layers which are designed to fit underneath and over top of the MCUs.
The NZ Army will be rolling the uniforms out over the next six months. The now ‘old’ uniform worn by NZ Army will be inspected and all serviceable items will be placed into a clothing pool to equip recruits, officer cadets and the NZ Air Force until stocks are exhausted.
One significant aspect of this new uniform and associated camo pattern developed by HyperStealth Biotechnology Corp is that it is not a pixelated pattern. Additionally, the Kiwis opted for a single pattern, acknowledging that troops find themselves in multiple environments over the course of an operation. According to Project Manager, Captain Ian Leabourne, “We have traditionally had our two patterns of uniform, one for the jungle and one for the desert. However, with the operational environments we face today, we can be operating in a variety of terrains within one area. We needed something which would do the job in whatever environment we deploy to. This uniform, with its unique NZ Defence Force pattern, solves this issue. The MCUs are a layered clothing system, so it is not just a case of a new look. We have included the full range of clothing which our soldiers need to perform well on operations and in training.”
