Suriname

Republic of Suriname

Europeans first reached Suriname in the 16th century, gradually setting up plantation colonies to cultivate sugar, cocoa, coffee and cotton, which were supported with slave labor imported from Africa. By the late 17th century, the region was dominated by the Dutch, who administered it throught he Society of Suriname. During this period, the Maroon culture, independent tribes of escaped African slaves, emerged in the undeveloped regions of the country, aided by the indigenous Native population. The Maroons ultimately became so powerful that they were granted soverign status and trade rights through treaty with the governing European authorities in the 19th century. Following the abolition of slavery, the plantation economy continued to thrive using contract labor from South Asia.

Suriname was granted limited self-government in 1954, with the Netherlands retaining control of defense and foreign affairs. Full independence was granted on 25 November 1975, after which the nation became known as the Republic of Suriname (Republiek Suriname). Five years later, a military coup d'etat overthrew the democratic government and declared the state a Socialist Republic. Under the repressive government of Desi Bouterse the military rounded up and executed hundreds of prominent citizens (mostly political opponents) under the pretext that they were plotting against the government. The nation descended into civil war in 1986, between the Suriname Army supporting the government of Bouterse, and an insurgency movement composed primarily of Maroons under the leadership of Ronnie Brunswijk. In 1991, a new democratic government was elected.

The Suriname National Army (Nationaal Leger) consist of approximately 2200 personnel, composed primarily of a Light Infantry Battalion (33ste Bataljon der Infanterie), the Special Forces Corps or Korps Speciale Troepen (modeled after the Dutch Army Commandos), and a support Battalion. In addition, there is a small Air Force (Surinaamse Luchtmacht) and a small Naval Force, as well as a Coast Guard that is actually a branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Camouflage Patterns of Suriname

• Although a colonial possession of the Netherlands until 1975, there were units of indigenous military personnel under Dutch administration in Suriname following the Second World War. At least some documentation shows these personnel wearing one-piece coveralls in the US M1942 Duck hunter pattern camouflage that was donated in large numbers to the Dutch government after the war.

• The standard battledress uniform of the Army was the m81 woodland pattern camouflage until 2014-15, reputedly imported from Brazil. Although technically discontinued, armed forces personnel have continued to field the pattern into the present era, presumably until existing stocks are exhausted.

• The Army has also used the Chinese Type 87 woodland pattern, with uniforms styled the same as those worn by the PLA.

• In 2014, the Armed Forces of Suriname adopted two pixelated camouflage designs for the Armed Forces. An Army version incorporated black, olive green, and pale green (a color palette similar to the old Danish camouflage design, while a blue variation was also adopted at this time for Navy personnel. Both patterns would later be dropped, although the Army version was retained by the Korps Speciale Troepen or Special Forces Korps of the land forces.

• At approximately the same time, the Surinaamse Luchtmacht or Suriname Air Force, adopted the same grey pixelated camouflage pattern originally developed for the US Air Force (and later discontinued).

• Beginning in November of 2017, members of the Armed Forces began wearing a copy of the Afghanistan National Army Spec4CE pixelated pattern. This design would replace the earlier adopted darker palette camouflage pattern, although the latter would remain in service with the Commandos of the Special Troops Corps. Suriname-issued uniforms are of a much different design to those worn by Afghan personnel.

• The Suriname Navy also adopted an American-designed camouflage pattern for its personnel, the blue NWU-1. Although no longer in service with the US Navy, the design has been in service with Surinamese Navy and possibly Coast Guard personnel since 2017.

• There is some evidence to suggest a limited use of Peruvian Amapat camouflage by the Nationaal Leger, although how prolific this may be remains unknown. Based on the cut and style of uniforms observed, these do not appear to be the same design as worn by Peruvian Armed Forces, but instead are probably sourced from a factory in China. A specific time frame is not known, but photographs show uniforms worn concurrently with old woodland as well as the Spec4CE pixelated patterns.

Camouflage Patterns of Other Factions in Suriname

• In the 1980s the Jungle Commando (formally known as the Suriname National Liberation Army) under command of Ronnie Brunswijk, which fought against the National Army, made very limited use of the Portuguese M1964 "vertical lizard" pattern.

• Another pattern used on a limited scale by the Jungle Commando was the French camouflee de leópard pattern more commonly known as "lizard" pattern.