Army extends deadline: Old combat uniform will be in service till June 2026

The new digital print combat uniform was designed and developed by NIFT.

The Army issued guidelines on the use and management of its new combat uniform after it was found that the old stock was unused, according to Indian Express.

In January 2022, the Army launched its digital print combat uniform for its personnel. It was issued to all the soldiers in a phased manner. According to IE, the new uniform is only issued to the troops through ordnance chain. The previous combat uniform was available in the open market.

Army insiders told IE that the existing stock of the old disruptive pattern combat uniform was supposed to be exhausted by June 2025. However, the latest assessment suggests it would not be possible to exhaust the entire stock by June 2025 since the life of a combat uniform is 15 months.

It was found that several Army units stopped seeking the old disruptive pattern combat uniform thinking that the new digital print uniform will be made available to them post June 2025.

To avoid wastage of the existing stock of old combat uniforms, the Army has issued new guidelines. Now, the existing stock of the old combat uniform will be in service till June 2026, as against the earlier deadline of June 2025.

According to the new norms, all Army units need to place their demands for the old disruptive print combat uniform from their respective ordnance echelons or the various ordnance units and supply chains for the troops.

The IE report stated that Army formations have also been told not to put pressure on troops to wear the new combat uniform. Meanwhile, ordnance echelons will have to keep issuing the old combat uniform to troops even if they receive the new combat uniform through central procurement.

The old combat disruptive print uniform will have to be issued to Defence Security Corps (DSC) troops as they are not authorised to get the new digital print combat uniform. Also, ordnance echelons cannot engage in regional procurement of new digital print combat uniform till the existing stock of the old one is exhausted.

Any other stock of combat uniform in the old pattern would be first offered to other government departments such as Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and charitable trusts. The rest will be disposed of through official channels, stated the IE report.

What is unique about the new uniform?

The new digital print combat uniform was designed and developed by NIFT. Being lightweight, robust and quick drying, it is more comfortable for the troops during operations. It is available in 13 different sizes and the fabric is a combination of cotton and polyester in a ratio of 70:30. The new uniform is said to be a mix of colours including earthen and olive.