Austria

Republic of Austria

The standard combat uniform of the Austrian Army (Heer) has been olive green since the 1970s. Although the nation did produce its own distinctive camouflage pattern through the 1950s and 1960s, it has not adopted a national pattern to be universally distributed to the armed forces since. This trend is likely to continue, as a solid tan version of the standard combat uniform has been issued to Austrian personnel serving in arid environments since 2003.

Austrian Camouflage Patterns

• The earliest and longest-lived camouflage pattern developed by Austria is often referred to in English as the "pea pattern." The design consists of maroon, mauve, and pea green dots and blotches on a pinkish-grey field. Originally introduced in 1957, the pattern continued in production until 1976. Two primary types of field uniform were produced in this pattern for the Austrian soldier, the Kampfanzug 1957 and the Kampfanzug 1959 - often referred to within the Army as K4 - as well as several styles of parka, field equipment covers, and a reversible shelter half with a "splinter" pattern printed on one side. The K4 "pea pattern" was only worn sporadically after the 1970s.

• The Austrian zeltbahn produced from the 1950s to the 1980s was printed on one side with the "pea pattern" and on the opposite side with a "splinter" pattern. This design was probably influenced by the WW2 sumpfmuster or "marsh" pattern of the German Wehrmacht, although it differs in having grey and ochre splinter shapes on a tan background w/grey rain straits.

• Austrian soldiers are also known to wear a solid white oversuit for operations in alpine or snow-covered terrain. (no illustration)

• The photograph below illustrates the Austrian zeltbahn with "splinter" pattern on one side and "pea pattern" on the other.

• In 2003 the Austrian Ministry of Defence introduced two pixelated patterns, thus far only tested for service with the Jagdkommando (special operations forces) and peacekeeping troops. Both patterns are named pixeltarnung (pixel camouflage), there being both a temperate and a desert version.

Other Camouflage Patterns worn by Austria

• Helmet covers printed in US m81 woodland pattern camouflage are common within the Austrian Army (Heer). In addition, surplus US woodland camouflage BDUs have seen limited service with the special forces of the Austrian Jagdkommando.

• Austrian military personnel serving on United Nations missions to Africa, Israel and Sri Lanka between 2004 and 2006 have worn locally-modified surplus US tricolor desert pattern camouflage uniforms.