The top 5 army camouflages for perfect concealment
Army camouflage is an essential element in the military world to ensure the protection and discretion of soldiers during their missions. There are several types of camouflage that have been developed over the years to provide maximum effectiveness in different environments and for different purposes. In this article, discover the top 5 best camouflages used by the world's armed forces to adapt to every situation.
1. MARPAT camouflage (Marine Pattern)
This type of camouflage was developed by the US Marine Corps and is specially designed for use in wooded and desert areas. This colour scheme comes in two forms: one with green tones for forests, and the other with brown tones for arid terrain. The combined use of these two versions allows soldiers to benefit from excellent concealment in a variety of environments while maintaining visual consistency within their unit.
How MARPAT works
The MARPAT principle is based on a combination of pixelated and geometric patterns that cover the entire surface of combat clothing. This method effectively destructures the human silhouette, making soldiers less easily detectable by the human eye or night vision devices. The colours used for this camouflage have also been finely selected to match the natural environment as closely as possible.
2. Le camouflage CADPAT (Canadian Disruptive Pattern)
Developed by the Canadian army, CADPAT is another variant of pixelated camouflage that comes in two tones: green for wooded areas and white for snow-covered regions. Like MARPAT, this colour scheme is based on a combination of geometric patterns that disrupt recognition of the human silhouette. It is currently used by the Canadian armed forces, but also by several other countries that appreciate its effectiveness and diversity of application.
CADPAT features
The main advantage of CADPAT camouflage is its adaptability to the different climates encountered by soldiers. In addition to the green and white versions, there is also a specific model for arid terrain with brown and beige tones. The juxtaposition of these three types of camouflage means that the armed forces have an appropriate solution for each situation, while maintaining a consistent look across their different units.
3. MultiCam camouflage
Designed by the American company Crye Precision, the MultiCam is a camouflage developed for use in a wide variety of environments, from desert areas to tropical forests. Its versatility lies in its many variations in colour and pattern, making it adaptable to almost any situation encountered by soldiers.
The advantages of MultiCam
The success of MultiCam camouflage is largely due to its ability to effectively blur the human silhouette, whatever the context. Thanks to its colour gradations and complex patterns, it minimises contrasts between the various elements of combat clothing and their surroundings. This concealment is also enhanced by the use of infrared-reflecting materials, making soldiers less visible to night vision equipment.
4. Flecktarn camouflage
Originating in Germany, Flecktarn ("camouflage stain") is a type of variegation made up of irregular dots and patterns. It is available in different versions for forests, deserts and mountainous regions. This camouflage has been used by the German armed forces since the 1990s and has inspired other countries to create their own concealment patterns.
The Flecktarn design
Flecktarn was developed on the basis of extensive research into how the human eye perceives colour and shape. Its principle is based on the juxtaposition of patches of varying size, which create a visual confusion that makes it impossible to clearly distinguish the silhouette of the soldiers. Combat outfits covered in this colour scheme offer increased protection against motion detectors and optical observation equipment.
5. Le camouflage DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material)
Originating in the UK, DPM is a type of camouflage developed in the late 1960s for use by the British armed forces. It is characterised by its patterns of organic and irregular shapes, which imitate natural elements such as leaves, branches or rocks. This colour scheme has been developed in several versions to adapt to the different environments encountered by soldiers, such as deserts, mountainous regions or urban areas.
Effectiveness of the DPM
Although it is one of the oldest camouflages on this list, DPM is still very effective today for concealing soldiers in a variety of contexts. Its originality lies in its ability to blend combat outfits harmoniously with their surroundings, while maintaining a coherent, pleasing overall appearance. This colour scheme is also highly versatile, since it can be easily modified to match the different types of terrain encountered around the world. For even more effective camouflage, most of the world's armies also add military camouflage netting to their arsenal!
Over the years, armies around the world have developed a whole range of camouflages to improve the protection and discretion of their soldiers during their missions. Among the many existing models, these 5 camouflages stand out for their great effectiveness and their adaptability to the different contexts encountered in the field. Whether pixelated like the MARPAT, versatile like the MultiCam or organic like the DPM, each of these camouflages has proved its worth in concealing armed forces across the globe.