Latvia

Latvia was known as the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (Latvijas Padomju Sociālistiskā Republika) between 1940 and 1991. While part of the Soviet Union, the nation's Armed Forces were under the administration of the USSR. Since achieving its independence in 1991 and subsequent membership in NATO, the armed forces of Latvia have taken great measures to distinguish themselves from their Soviet predecessors. Early Latvian camouflage patterns, although influenced by those of the Soviet Union, are nevertheless distinctive enough to warrant separate status of their own.

• The earliest Latvian camouflage patterns trace their lineage to the Soviet tricolor TTsKO design, although the shapes incorporated into the patterns are entirely distinctive. The early camouflage design shown here, a pattern of dark and light brown shapes on a khaki or light olive green background, was originally worn by the Latvian Army, and later by the Border Guards. This pattern dates to the early 1990s.

• Another early pattern of approximately the same vintage - using different drawings and a lighter, almost desert, colorway - incorporates dark brown and ochre amoebic shapes on a tan background. This design is associated with the Latvian Ministry of the Interior, but may also have been worn by the Army.

• Early Latvian pattern - used among others by the forces of the Ministry of Interior

• Latvian digital desert camo - developed by Barracuda of Sweden. Introduced 2006.

• Latvian soldiers wearing the early pattern