The new camouflage of the French army

The new camouflage of the French army: the new pattern of the French military

The new multi-environment camouflage pattern BME (Multi-Environment Blending) of the French army, announced in May, was presented at Eurosatory.

Clearly influenced by the experimental pattern of the early 21st-century American army, from which the commercial MultiCam by Crye Precision and the more recent OCP or Operational Camouflage Pattern (also known as Scorpion W2) of the American army are derived, the new French BME is neither a copy nor a total colour match.

I have not yet had the chance to see a full sample of this brand-new camouflage, nor to compare it directly with a large sample of MultiCam, but the uniform examples I was fortunate enough to photograph at Eurosatory 2022 were different enough that I could notice from a certain distance that it was the new model; that said, I think that when worn in the field, the new model will be quite compatible with MultiCam once it is dusty and slightly faded by the sun.

Before focusing on the new camouflage pattern, let us look at the description given for the BME mannequin displayed last week at Eurosatory

Multi-environment blending: the new French camo pattern

:- Multi-environment pattern: this new pattern is set to replace, from 2024, the Central Europe and Desert patterns used by the French army since [les] 1990s. It offers an increased concealment capability compared to current patterns (a 25% increase). Performance evaluation means: speed and distance of detection, recognition and identification. An aesthetic survey was conducted on over 300 people from the three armed forces. BME F3 combat uniform: this uniform is designed to provide fighters with better protection, comfort and ease in carrying out their missions. Its thermostable properties protect soldiers from flames for several seconds (fire resistance). Thanks to a more fitted cut and fewer pockets, its weight has been considerably reduced.

The new French military uniform

Example of a winter fabric uniform of a given size: the BDU F3 weighs 1,350g compared to 1,850g for the BDU T4 S2 (a 27% weight reduction). According to the equipment plan, it will be made available to the forces in 2024. SMB V2: modular personal ballistic vest with improved ergonomics, weight and robustness (10 kg in standard configuration).

It is currently being deployed to the troops. HK416 (airsoft model shown): the HK416F assault rifle is the new service weapon of the conventional forces.

It offers soldiers better accuracy and range. TAP F3: the F3 helmet is the optimized version of the FÉLIN helmet. Its carrying capacity has been greatly improved thanks to new interfaces, which increases the operational capacity of fighters. Glasses: ballistic glasses protect the eyes from secondary splinters, shards, dust and the sun.

Combat boots: designed for the comfort and protection of warriors, they are suited to the demands of operational engagement. Gloves: reinforced hand protection and better ergonomics (suitable for shooting).

The new uniform of the French army: the BME pattern

Now let us move on to the BME pattern. My first impression is that this predominantly horizontal pattern contains more dark green and a slightly redder shade of dark brown than the American patterns, but I must stress that I saw and photographed the BME under exhibition lighting conditions – that is, a total mix of area lighting and directional lighting, with a bit of natural light.

That said, the two photos of the combat jacket worn by the Commander (Major) were taken in natural light near a glazed courtyard and are probably the best colour representations. A French army commander wearing the new BME camouflage pattern.

Although the BME is a mainly horizontal pattern, somewhat like the current American OCP or Scorpion W2, a small number of more vertical twigs are incorporated, but unlike the "twigs" found on Genuine MultiCam, they really look like twigs. Curiously, the pattern also includes some light-coloured triangles, which seems a bit odd to me as isolated triangles are not very common in nature.

The French army uniform: a new uniform in 2024

As this uniform will not be deployed throughout the Army before 2024, it will probably be some time before there is an opportunity to photograph a French soldier alongside a soldier from another nation wearing MultiCam / OCP / MTP etc., but I am sure the different patterns will be compatible. Furthermore, a new French camouflage pattern for mountain warfare will also be introduced around 2025/6, but that is a story for another day.

There are a small number of twig shapes and triangles in the new BME model.

Finally, a word about the new French army boots. The Temperate Zone Combat Shoe or CCZT now replaces the Central Europe Combat Shoe or CdCCE brown 2014. Both boots, the old model being a version of the Népal PRO, are made by HAIX and I will provide a technical sheet from Mainburg as soon as I receive it.

The command of the French army special forces recently adopted a new operational camouflage pattern to succeed the Crye MultiCam.

For several years, personnel of the French Army Special Forces Command (COM FST) deployed operationally in Africa and the Middle East have mainly worn Crye MultiCam combat uniforms, but recently, a new subdued camouflage pattern has been issued to certain units. At the recent SOFINS 2019 conference and exhibition, held at the special forces base Camp de Souge near Bordeaux, many operators, mainly from the 1st RPIMa, wore this new camouflage and we naturally took the opportunity to photograph them.

The HALO jumper in the centre of this photo wears the new SF camouflage.

As we will see in our report on the dynamic presentation at SOFINS 19, not all special forces members wore the new camouflage pattern, which, from what we understand, is being gradually deployed by unit, and it is very likely that MultiCam uniforms and standard Central Europe uniforms will be worn for specific deployments and/or theatres when operationally desirable. It is also likely that some MultiCam equipment will be worn with the new uniform, the two models being reasonably compatible.

French operator wearing a UBACS and combat trousers in the new FS camouflage pattern

Which camouflage to choose?

At first glance, the new French Special Forces pattern – none of the officers or non-commissioned officers we spoke with could or would give us a specific name – seems to be a very faded MultiCam, and it was indeed quite difficult to distinguish it from some older sun-faded equipment we saw worn with it, but a close examination reveals that the new pattern lacks the vertical "twigs" found on commercial MultiCam. My instinctive reaction is that this predominantly horizontal pattern, which French military personnel assured me was developed by Crye Precision specifically for COM FST, could be a colour variation of Crye’s Scorpion W2 pattern used for the latest OCP (Operational Camouflage Pattern) uniform of the American army, but until we can compare large areas of both fabrics side by side to see if there are design similarities, this is pure speculation on my part.

Another small point to note, the new French forces uniform is made from a rip-stop fabric that reminded me of the fabric used for some new-generation Italian combat uniforms.

Last week, the French army announced the adoption of a new camouflage pattern from 2024 for better stealth of the fighter in all circumstances.

What is the name of the new camouflage put into service in the three armed forces from 2024?

The new Multi-Environment Blending (BME) will replace the Central Europe and Desert patterns currently used with a single pattern. According to research, it takes 25% longer for an observer to detect a soldier wearing BME than the old patterns.

Why have military vehicles changed colour?

Although BME seems similar to patterns worn by the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries using MultiCam derivatives, the French explain that it is inspired by the colour "French earth brown" used for French military vehicles (see below) and triangular patterns reminiscent of the camouflage of vehicles from the Scorpion programme which will be deployed at the same time as the new camouflage.

To follow all the news in real time you can visit the official page of the army.

What is the best military camouflage?

Designed by the Technical Section of the army, the BME combat clothing was developed by the Army Quartermaster Service. The French have planned a budget of 200 million euros and production will start in 2024. The cut of the uniform is that of the new Fighter 2020 F3 uniform developed as part of the FELIN programme which is FR.

To camouflage yourself even more effectively, you can opt for a camouflage net, we offer different nets to allow you to conceal yourself in all types of environments.