The new camouflage of the French army

The new camouflage of the French army: the new reason of the French soldiers

The new Multi-Environmental BME (Multi-Environnemental Huriolage) multi-environmental camouflage reason for the French army, announced in May, was presented at EuroSATORY.

Clearly influenced by the experimental motive of the American army of the beginning of the 21st century, of which the commercial multicam of Crye Precision and the most recent OCP or Operational Camouflage Pattern (alias Scorpion W2) are derived from the American army, the new French BME is neither a copy nor a total correspondence of colors.

I have not yet had the opportunity to see a complete sample of this brand new camouflage, nor to compare it directly to a large multicam sample, but the examples of uniforms that I had the chance to be able to photograph to Eurosatory 2022 were different enough for me to notice a certain distance from the new model; That said, I think that when it is worn on the ground, the new model will be compatible with the multicam once it is dusty and slightly discolored by the sun.

Before focusing on the new capacity of camouflage, let's look at the description given for the model BME exhibited last week at Eurosatory

Multi -environment bariolage: the new French camo pattern

:- Multi-environment pattern: this new motif is called upon to replace, from 2024, the European central and desert patterns used by the French army since [the] years 1990. It offers increased concealment capacity compared to bosses current (25%increase). Performance assessment means: speed and detection distance, recognition and identification. A survey on the aesthetic aspect was carried out on more than 300 people from the three armies. BME F3 combat hold: This outfit is designed to provide fighters better protection, comfort and ease in the accomplishment of their missions. Its thermostable capacities protect the soldiers from the flames for several seconds (fireproofing). Thanks to a more adjusted cut and fewer pockets, its weight has been considerably reduced.

The new military outfit French

Example of a winter fabric uniform of a given size: the BDU F3 weighs 1,350g against 1,850g for the BDU T4 S2 (weight reduction of 27%). According to the equipment plan, it will be made available to forces in 2024. SMB V2: personal and evolving modular ballistic vest whose ergonomics, weight and robustness are optimized (10 kg in standard configuration).

He is being deployed with the troops. HK416 (Airsoft model presented): The HK416F assault rifle is the new service weapon of conventional forces.

It offers soldiers better precision and better scope. TAP F3: The F3 helmet is the optimized version of the feline helmet. Its carrying capacity has been strongly improved thanks to new interfaces, which increases the operational capacity of the combatants. Glasses: ballistic glasses protect the eyes from secondary projections, bursts, dust and sun.

Combat boots: Designed for the comfort and protection of warriors, they are adapted to the constraints of operational engagement. Gloves: reinforced protection of the hands and better ergonomics (suitable for shooting).

The new trellis of the French army: the BME motive

Now let's go to the BME motif. My first impression is that this horizontal predominance pattern has more dark green and a shade of dark brown slightly rederly than the American patterns, but I must emphasize that I saw and photographed the BME in conditions of lighting Exposure-that is to say a total mixture of zone lighting and directional lighting, with a little natural light.

That said, the two photos of the combat jacket carried by the commander (Major) were taken in natural light near a glass interior courtyard and are probably the best color representations. A commander of the French army bearing the new BME camouflage reason.

Although the BME is a mainly horizontal pattern, a bit like the current American OCP or the Scorpion W2, a small number of more vertical twigs are incorporated, but unlike the "twigs" found on the Genuine Multicam, they really have the appearance of twigs. Curiously, the pattern also has a few light color triangles, which seems a bit strange to me because the isolated triangles are not very frequent in nature.

The outfit army of Earth: a new uniform in 2024

As this uniform will not be deployed throughout the army before 2024, it will probably be necessary to wait a while before having the opportunity to photograph a French soldier alongside a soldier from another nation dressed in multicam / OCP / MTP etc. But I am sure that the different reasons will be compatible. In addition, a new French camouflage motif for the mountain war will also be introduced around 2025/6. 2025/6, but it's a story for another day.

There are a small number of twigs and triangles for the new BME model.

Finally, a word on the new boots of the French army. The Combat Chaussure Temperate Zone or CCZT now replaces the Center Europe or CDCCE 2014 Center combat shoe. These two boots, the old model being a version of Nepal Pro, are manufactured by Haix and as soon as I receive a technical sheet Mainburg.

The command of the French army special forces recently adopted a new reason for operational camouflage to succeed the Multicam Crye.

For several years, the staff of the Special Forces Command (COM FST) of the French army deployed operationally in Africa and in the Middle East mainly carries CRYE Multicam combat uniforms, but recently, a new reason for attenuated camouflage has been delivered to certain units. During the recent Sofins 2019 conference and exhibition, which was held at the base of the Souge camp special forces near Bordeaux, a large number of operators, mainly from the 1st RPIMA, wore this new camouflage and we naturally seized The opportunity to photograph them.

The halo jumper in the center of this photo carries the new SF camouflage.

As we will see in our report on the dynamic presentation of Sofins 19, all members of the special forces did not bear the new reason for camouflage, which, from what we have understood, is gradually deployed per unit, and it is Very likely that multicam uniforms and standard uniforms in central Europe will be worn for specific deployments and/or theaters, when this is operational. It is also likely that certain multicam equipment will be worn with the new uniform, the two models being reasonably compatible.

French operator wearing UBACS and combat pants in the new FS camouflage pattern

Which camouflage to choose?

At first glance, the new reason for French special forces - none of the officers or non -commissioned officers with whom we discussed it could or wanted to give us a specific name - seems to be a very faded multicam, and it was indeed quite Difficult to differentiate it from certain older equipment discolored by the sun that we have seen with him, but an attentive examination reveals that the new motif does not have the vertical "twigs" found on commercial multicam. My instinctive reaction is that this horizontal predominance motif, which French military personnel assured me that it had been developed by Crye Precision specifically for COM FST, could be a color variation in the scorpion W2 pattern used for the Last OCP (Operational Camouflage Pattern) uniform of the American army, but as long as we will not be able to compare large areas of the two fabrics side by side to see if there are design similarities, it is a pure conjecture on my part.

Another small point to note, the new uniform of the French forces is made in a RIP-stop fabric which reminded me of the fabric used for certain new generation Italian combat uniforms.

Last week, the French army announced the adoption of a new reason for camouflage from 2024 for better stealth of the fighter in all circumstances.

What is the name of the new camouflage put into service in the three armies from 2024?

The new multi-environmental bariolage (BME) will replace the European central and desert patterns currently used by a unique pattern. According to research, it takes 25 % more time to an observer to detect a soldier carrying the BME that the old reasons.

Why have military vehicles changed color?

Although the BME seems similar to the reasons carried by the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries using multicam derivatives, the French explain that it is inspired by the color "Brun Terre de France" used for French military vehicles (see below) and triangular patterns recalling the camouflage of the SCORPION program which will be deployed at the same time as the new camouflage.

To follow all the news in real time you can go to the Official Army page.

What is the best military camouflage?

Designed by the Technical Section of the Army, BME combat clothes were developed by the army stewardship service. The French have planned a budget of 200 million euros and the program will start in 2024. The uniform cup is that of the new Fighter 2020 F3 uniform developed as part of the Felin program which is fr.

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