Over the past few years, the Dutch Armed Forces have been purchasing new field equipment, which has received the designation of an individual soldier system (Individueel Soldaat Systeem, ISS). This modular equipment includes new equipment elements (Verbeterd Operationeel Soldaat Systeem, VOSS, rus. - improved soldier's operational system) and a new uniform system (Defensie Operationeel Kleding System, DOKS). Both components are made in a new camouflage, which has received the designation fractal Netherlands Pattern (Netherlands Fractal Pattern, NFP).
New field equipment of the Netherlands Army
New field equipment - camouflage and uniform
Camouflage is available in several colors: green (NFP-green) for wooded areas and urban areas, beige (NFP-tan) for arid areas, as well as a coarser and simpler NFP-multitone, as a mixed form for personal equipment. Navy servicemen will receive blue-tinged uniforms (NFP-navy). The corresponding camouflage (NFP-arctic) has also been developed for the Arctic regions.
Field equipment for armored vehicles crews
The new DOKS uniform system includes various layers and elements. It consists of: field trousers and a shirt, a field blouse, as well as clothing for protection from moisture. A new combination of field equipment for armored vehicle crews has been developed. Initially, it was delivered to the Dutch tankers of the 414 German-Dutch tank battalion. A new helmet (helmet) of the Batlskin Viper P6N model from the American company Revision has also been introduced into the DOKS system.
New helmet model Batlskin Viper P6N
According to sources, the decision to equip the national Armed Forces with modern field equipment was made by the Dutch government in mid-2016. Implementation began in 2017. After the increase in the defense budget in 2018, the draft, initially agreed for some parts, was extended to all armed forces. Allegedly, within the framework of the DOKS project, from 40 to 45 thousand military personnel of the Navy, SV, Air Force and military police will receive a new uniform system and a new helmet. The helmet for the military police will have a black shade.
VOSS - Improved Soldier's Operational system
A new modular equipment is an integral part of the ISS project. It includes a protective vest with additional elements, a set of pockets for magazines and other combat load, as well as several backpacks:
- large volume of 100 liters complete with two side pockets of 10 liters each;
- patrol backpack (50 l + 5 L side pockets);
- a small 25 l "carrying bag" for short-term use or for packing an emergency kit of property.
A large backpack with a volume of 100 liters
The central element of VOSS is the "Smart Vest" (Smart Vest). It provides ballistic protection, distributes the combat load and, in combination with a backpack, makes it easier to carry heavy loads. The vest becomes "smart" thanks to the network combat control components supplied by Elbit. Mainly, we are talking about a portable software-defined E-LynX radio station, a Raptor tablet computer and related communication tools.
The "smart vest" of the VOSS system
The new field equipment has already been partially transferred to Dutch servicemen operating abroad. In particular, since at a certain stage it was not possible to accelerate the introduction of DOKS, in June 2018, the Dutch Ministry of Defense, through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, acquired Multicam-Monturen camouflage as a temporary solution for international missions. Special purpose units (Korps Commando Troepen, KCT) received Multicam camouflage already in 2017.
Testing of field equipment in the military
The new field equipment was tested in 11 airmobile, 13 light and 43 mechanized brigades, in the Marine Corps, as well as in Air Force security units. The tests were conducted under the guidance of the Procurement Agency (Defensie Materieel Organisatie, DMO). The focus was on ergonomics, functionality and tactical aspects, as well as establishing communication with ground and air equipment.
As reported, the new field equipment was planned to be delivered to the troops in the period from 2020 to 2022.
According to the materials of the resource esut.de
