Finally: New board and combat suit

New board suit with materials from Gore-Tex

The Bundeswehr's clothing system will be supplemented this year by a new suit programme for the navy: the shipboard and combat suit with PYRAD technology for flame protection from Gore-Tex. W.L. Gore & Assoc. supplies the textiles to clothing manufacturers and brand partners such as DNS Alpha, Goldeck-Carinthia, Schöffel and Wattana, who manufacture functional clothing from Gore materials. After three years of preparation, the clothing system has now gone into series production. The technical functional materials from Gore are used in several layers, from combat shirts to cold protection jackets. The modular system of highly functional, weatherproof and flame-retardant clothing will provide protection for around 11,000 marines in future - even when deployed in different climate zones.

Modular clothing system for the most adverse conditions

On-board and combat suit with PYRAD technology for flame protection. Photo: Gore-Tex

Storm and swell on deck, heat and cramped conditions below deck as well as fires or combat situations - a combat suit has to withstand all of these. There will be wet weather jackets and trousers in navy blue as well as the shipboard and combat suit with jacket, trousers and combat shirts. A cold protection jacket provides additional insulation at low temperatures. The lightweight and robust materials open up processing methods and design options that were previously unrealisable. The result is modern cuts and a high level of wearer comfort, as we know it from high-performance textiles in the leisure sector. The overall result is an attractive design for workwear.

PYRAD flame protection technology was one of the Navy's core requirements for the new shipboard and combat suit: ". . . because fires at sea can pose an existential threat to ships' crews," says Staff Captain Lieutenant Jörg Lerche from the Rostock Naval Command, explaining the requirements in the tender. "In particular, the limited escape options on board and the potential spread of fire to flammable materials are a major risk. In addition, there is extreme exposure to smoke and heat."

No more blue shirt

The soldiers' new clothing is also a step forward for the modern image of the navy. The clothing in particular determines the appearance and is therefore also a defining factor for the naval identity in Germany and across nations. It is also not detrimental to the recruitment of new recruits if the uniform has a certain "chic". A contemporary and representative appearance is also conducive to pride in what one does. The AGA (work and combat uniform) of the 1980s was already a considerable step forward, because up to that point people went to sea in almost the normal street uniform (the so-called second fiddle) and only had a few additional items of equipment. The BGA (shipboard and combat suit) in several expansion stages was an additional step, also towards more safety, and characterised the appearance of the last twenty years. However, it is now definitely getting on in years. It was about time!

After "AGA" and "BGA", what's next? We are still accepting good ideas for names!