Clothing for combat: Equipping the front line
6 Nov 07
The innovative Under Body Armour Combat Shirt (UBACS) is just one of the items that MOD clothing specialists have developed in response to the demanding conditions our front line men and women are encountering on contemporary operations. Report by Lt Cdr Susie Thomson.
A soldier from 2 Royal Tank Regiment wearing new gloves designed to be worn in warm weather
[Picture: Andrew Linnett]
Now standard issue in Iraq and Afghanistan, the UBACS is designed to be worn under protective body armour. The body of the long-sleeved shirt is made of a special fabric that absorbs sweat – ideal when soldiers are fighting in often formidably hot and uncomfortable conditions.
The UBACS and other ground-breaking specialist clothing and equipment for Britain's Armed Forces went on display recently at an exhibition held at the MOD's Caversfield site, near Bicester in Oxfordshire.
Head of the Defence Clothing team, Colonel Silas Suchanek, explained the importance of the new garment:
"The UBACS shirt is an excellent example of my team responding to the needs of our people who are serving in very demanding climates and working with manufacturers to create a garment that is both comfortable and highly practical.
"Considerable time, effort and money goes in to ensuring that our troops are provided with excellent kit that allows them to perform to the best of their capability – and we know the UBACS has been a hit since the demand for it has been incredible. This is all about investment in our front line and it drives everything we do."
A volunteer from 2 Royal Tank Regiment wearing the new under body armour combat shirt, now in service with British armed forces. The shirt is designed to be worn under protective body armour in hot climates
[Picture: Andrew Linnett]
Serving soldiers demonstrated the latest kit at the show, including the OSPREY Mk II Body Armour, and the new Tactical Assault Vest, which is worn over the OSPREY and holds essential supplies such as ammunition and ration packs.
Together they are designed to provide optimum protection for our troops whilst allowing them to fight effectively. New soft leather combat gloves and special goggles that eliminate fogging have also been brought into service, both specifically designed for wear in hot climates:
"We continually listen to feedback from our customers – the guys and girls in the field – and work with them to provide modern specialist clothing that is appropriate to the environment they are working in," Colonel Suchanek continued.
"When I joined the Army serge and wool were the order of the day, irrespective of the climate we were serving in. I am proud and delighted to be part of an organisation that works so hard to deliver excellence to our people."
The range of products on display at the Exhibition included uniforms, footwear, individual protective clothing, body armour, load carrying equipment, CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear) clothing, and combat and job specific clothing. The event was an opportunity for MOD clothing and equipment specialists to demonstrate how they are working with specialist manufacturers to respond to the unique requirements of our Armed Forces.
This article, by Lt Cdr Susie Thomson, first appeared in the November 2007 issue of Preview - the magazine for Defence equipment and support, the equipment capability customer and industry.
