Moldova

The Republic of Moldova (Republica Moldova) is an independent, Romanian-speaking state in Eastern Europe. As part of the Soviet Union, the armed forces of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic (MSSR) were undoubtedly outfitted with standard Soviet-designed camouflage uniforms such as the KLMK and variations of the TTsKO tricolor woodland. Since its independence in 1990, the nation has utilized several camouflage designs of Eastern European origin as well as a copy of the US m81 woodland pattern. Historically, the region has also been called Moldavia.

Moldovan Camouflage Patterns

• A derivative of the Soviet-designed TTsKO tricolor is known to have been worn by the Moldovan armed forces between 1991 and 1995. This variation, dark brownish-green and reddish-brown amoebic shapes on a tan or khaki background, appears to be specific to Moldova, although it may have been worn to a lesser degree by Azerbaijan and Georgia. Most of the early Moldovan camouflage uniforms were made by factories in the Ukraine.

• Another Ukrainian-designed pattern in use from 1991 to 1995 is a tricolor "swirl" design that has also been documented in use by Georgian troops. It would seem this pattern only appeared in a lightweight combat uniform and field cap.

• Also worn by some Armenian forces, an interesting camouflage design derivative of the 3-TsV but having more spot-like shapes is seen here. This pattern also appears only to have been produced as a lightweight combat uniform, and imported from the manufacturers in Ukraine.

• The standard camouflage pattern of the Moldovan Armed Forces since 1996 has been a copy of the US m81 woodland design. The Soviet BDU-style uniforms are most likely imported from Asia or the Ukraine, and some mild color variations have been documented.