German Navy sailors receive brand new uniform

With the new development of the shipboard combat suit, which began in 2023, the German Navy (Deutsche Marine) is presenting a new uniform for its seafaring personnel for the first time. The sailors will be equipped with it from the end of the year.

Bundeswehr press release

The new outfit for navy servicemen and women combines modern and functional equipment. This is essential for the fulfillment of missions, whether in basic operations, training, exercises or deployment. On-board crews have to work in sometimes extreme climatic conditions – from the icy cold of the North Sea to the tropical heat of the Indo-Pacific.

Weather resistance and moisture management are key requirements, as operations often take place under extreme conditions. In addition, there are existential threats on board with no means of escape, such as fires or leaks at sea. The new uniform meets these challenges, as it uses modern material technologies and is flame-retardant and antistatic.

The Navy’s authorized representative for clothing and personal equipment, Staff Captain Lieutenant Jörg L., explains the aims of the modernization project:

• Functionality: the clothing must meet modern requirements, i.e. be breathable, hard-wearing, weatherproof and climatically adaptable.
• System compatibility: All elements of the on-board clothing must be compatible with each other and be able to be combined with personal protective equipment.
• Wearing comfort and ergonomics: The clothing must allow freedom of movement, be lightweight and comfortable to wear over long periods of use.

“With the new on-board clothing concept, it has been possible to achieve a quick and good result within the last two years and with the involvement of the troops right from the start. Together with the responsible project manager from the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw – Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr), we focused on a participatory development process right from the start.”

Staff Captain Lieutenant Jörg L.

The squad’s opinion of the new suit

Basically, there is a great demand for improved ergonomics and freedom of movement. There is a desire for a more modern, professional look to the on-board clothing that has been around since the 1990s – especially from younger soldiers. A modular system is preferred in order to enable individual adaptations to different climate zones. The new board suit fulfills these aspects. There has already been a lot of positive feedback from the troop wear test.

Lieutenant Captain Franziska B. from the minesweeper “Grömitz”, who took part in the trial, says: “The new on-board uniform has finally arrived in the 21st century. I hope that all soldiers who go to sea will have the new suit at their disposal as soon as possible.”

The development process and final testing have been successfully completed. The basic equipment will be introduced gradually. The aim is to equip the first crews with the new shipboard clothing as early as the fourth quarter of this year. The new uniform is to be issued throughout the navy by the end of 2026.