Aussies to get new camo?

Well, it seems that the trend for countries to adopt semi-arid/multi-terrain camo patterned combat uniforms continues apace.  You might remember that this is exactly what I predicted a few weeks ago in this article.After the Americans and British, its now the Australians turn.  However, unlike the US and UK, the Aussies have stuck with their existing camouflage pattern – simply adapting it with a new colouration intended for semi-arid terrain as in Afghanistan.According to information posted in the forums of The International Camouflage Uniform Society:The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) developed a mid-point colour set that may better meet the range of environments that deployed troops are encountering, particularly within Afghanistan.In December 2009, the Chief of Army directed an in-theatre trial of the new pattern to confirm its effectiveness. This uniform is referred to as Disruptive Pattern Mid-Point Uniform (DPMU). Subject to the successful outcome of the Australian and in-theatre trials, Army intends to roll the DPMU uniform out to deployed troops as quickly as possible.Rumours had been circulating that the Aussies were going to adopt MultiCam – after some SOG troopers were spotted wearing MultiCam in Afghanistan.  This announcement should effectively squash that notion.Aussie troops in Afghanistan have also been previously photographed wearing a mix of temperate camo shirts and desert camo trousers.[all photographs copyright Australian Department of Defence]