New combat uniforms for the Indian Army by NIFT

At NIFT Delhi, a team of seven faculty members, each with individual responsibility, were tasked with designing the new uniform to replace the one that has been in use since 2008.

One faculty member worked on the development of the camouflage print, along with two students, who were specially taken for the project while two faculty members worked on the fabric development, and two others worked on the development of the design and prototyping, supported by two alumni. The fabric has now been made lighter and sturdier making it comfortable to be worn for longer durations. “The new weave allows for quick drying also. The composition of the yarn has not changed much — the cotton-polyester ratio remains the same.

The team at NIFT gave the Indian Army almost 17 pattern options of which four were shortlisted. These were then made into garments so as to check the efficacy, and then one was selected.The uniform’s “efficacy” means it can be worn in different terrains — from the rocky mountains of Kashmir to the green slopes of the northeast region, and even the “beiges and browns of the desert”.

The set includes a combat T-shirt underneath with a shirt over it, and unlike the older uniform, will not be tucked in. Other micro-features include the ‘jacket’, with angular top pockets, lower pockets with vertical openings, knife pleats at the back, a pocket on the left sleeve, a pen holder on the left forearm, and improved-quality buttons.

The new trousers are adjustable at the waist with elastic and buttons, along with a double groin layer. And as for the caps, the girth is adjustable and the logo of the Army has visibly-better quality.

The new Army Combat Pattern Uniform has been developed with the help of National Institute of Fashion Technology, after going through options of 15 patterns. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy had handed over technology for an India-made extreme cold weather clothing system (ECWS) to five Indian companies in New Delhi. The ECWS is used by the Indian Army for its sustained operations in Himalayan peaks and glaciers. 

"The DRDO designed ECWCS is an ergonomically designed modular technical clothing with improved thermal insulation and physiological comfort based on the insulation required at various ambient climatic conditions in Himalayan regions during different levels of physical activity," the statement by the Defence Ministry read."

Following are the top 5 things to know about the Indian Army's new combat uniform:

The uniform, which features a mix of colours including olive and earthen, has been designed taking into considerations aspects like areas of deployment of the troops and climatic conditions in which they operate.

The new uniform has been designed after analysing combat uniforms of armies of various other countries, in association with National Institute of Fashion Technology, sources said. 

This uniform is more comfortable and it would be worn in all types of terrains, they said. The digital disruptive pattern is designed with help of computer aid, they said.

The shirt in the new uniform does not have to be tucked in the trouser, the sources said. The shirt in the old uniform had to be tucked in. 

The new uniforms would not be available in the open market.