Nordic Combat Uniform

Last updated
Nordic Combat Uniform
Danish Nordic Combat Uniform (Layer 4).jpg
Danish NCU layer 4, 2025
Type Military uniform
Place of origin NORDEFCO
Service history
In service2025–present
Used by
Production history
ManufacturerOskar Pedersen A/S
Variants
First Entry [2]

The Nordic Combat Uniform (NCU) is the joint military uniform system being introduced into the militaries of the Nordic countries, as part of a NORDEFCO initiative. The uniform will be issued in each nations camouflage pattern.

Contents

History

In 2015, soldiers expressed wishes for a newer and more modular uniform system. [3] Additionally, there was a wish for increased military cooperation between the Nordic countries. For this reason the Nordic militaries began a shared search for a combat uniform. In 2018, the countries each provided a list of requirements to suppliers, wanting customization and ability to work in all climates. The NCU will be in each nations camouflage pattern. [4] [5] In November 2019, uniforms from the four final pre-qualified suppliers were issued to 480 Nordic special forces, soldiers and conscripts for testing. [6] The uniform system will be provided in three configurations; European, desert and jungle where the European configuration is split into two, both a common (intermediate) which goes down to −19 °C (−2 °F) and a so-called "cold add–on" which can go down to −46 °C (−51 °F). The total procurement cost was expected to be €400 million. [6] It was expected that an agreement for the period 2021–2028, would be concluded by the end of 2020. [6] However, by 2021, the tender process was not completed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the global supply chain crisis. [7] On 8 February 2022, it was announced that Norwegian consortium Oskar Pedersen A/S, would be chosen to supply the new uniforms to all Nordic countries, at a total cost of €425 million. [8]

In 2024, Eirik Kristoffersen, the Norwegian Chief of Defence, criticized the NCU, as the different types of camouflage patterns made interchangeability between the Nordics difficult. [9] In April 2025 Kristoffersen expressed satisfaction that the long-running project is now being rolled out. He emphasized that the process has delivered a strong result and that the uniform represents a clear improvement. [10]

Layers

ImageLayerDescription
Danish Nordic Combat Uniform (Layer 1A+1B).jpg Layer 0+1AUnderwear
Layer 1BTerry wool long johns, shirt and jacket.
Danish Nordic Combat Uniform (Layer 2A).jpg Layer 2AEuropean combat uniform jacket, trousers and shirt.
Danish Nordic Combat Uniform (Layer 2B).jpg Layer 2BDesert and Jungle uniform jacket, trousers and shirt.
Danish Nordic Combat Uniform (Layer 3A+3B).jpg Layer 3AInsulation jacket and trousers
Layer 3BCold -add on Insulation jacket and trousers
Danish Nordic Combat Uniform (Layer 4).jpg Layer 4Rainwear
Layer 5Winter camo

See also

References

  1. ↑ Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (7 July 2023). "Kan du se soldaten?". Forsvaret (in Norwegian). Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  2. ↑ Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (15 February 2022). "Slik ble det det nye norske kamuflasjemønsteret til Forsvaret utviklet". Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (in Norwegian). Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  3. ↑ Sundsdal, Christian (2 September 2015). "Ny fællesnordisk uniform er i støbeskeen". krigeren.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  4. ↑ FMI (29 August 2018). "Ny nordisk kampuniform ind i ny fase". fmi.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  5. ↑ NORDEFCO. "Nordic Combat Uniform System". nordefco.org. Nordic Defence Cooperation. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 FMI (11 November 2019). "Nyt nordisk kampuniformsprojekt er gået ind i testfasen". fmi.dk/ (in Danish). Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  7. ↑ Honnør (November 2021). "Mens vi venter på nyt uniformssystem" [While we wait for the new uniform system]. Honnør (in Danish). Vol. 3. Forsvarskommandoen. p. 23. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  8. ↑ KrigerenDK (8 February 2022). "Her er Forsvarets nye uniformer – Nordic Combat Uniform". krigeren.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  9. ↑ Andresen, Frode (23 August 2024). "Nordisk fællesindkøb af uniformer irriterer Norges forsvarschef" . Altinget (in Danish). Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "Dette er dommen over Forsvarets nye uniform". Forsvarets Forum (in Norwegian). 5 April 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
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