The Dutch procurement agency Defensie Materieel Organisatie (DMO) commissioned the U.S. helmet manufacturer Revision Military at the beginning of August to manufacture and supply the new Dutch Armed Forces Combat Helmet.
At the same time as the supply contract, a framework agreement was concluded for the maintenance of the helmet over a period of 15 years. Helmet covers in the new Dutch camouflage patterns “Netherlands Fractal Pattern” Green and Tan are included in supply contract.
The new Dutch camouflage pattern “Netherlands Fractal Pattern” will be available in several versions:
- NFP-Green (pictured) for wooded and urban areas in Western and Eastern Europe,
- NFP-Tan for arid areas like deserts, steppes and savannas,
- NFP Navy for navy on-board personnel is still under development,
- the NFP-Arctic is also considered as a winter camouflage.
“The Revision Military helmet was best received in the tests.” According to a DMO communication, the revision helmet received “highest rating from the users in the test group.” In comparison to the helmet currently in use, the new helmet is characterized by a lower weight, better protection, fit and comfort.
Delivery of the helmets begins in 2019 with a small series. The issue of the new helmets to the troops will start in 2020 and should be completed in 2022.
The procurement of the new helmet system is part of the DOKS (Defensie Operationeel Kleding Systeem) project. The DOKS project is intended to replace the current combat clothing system in the Netherlands (introduced in the early 1990s).
In mid-2016, the Netherlands decided to equip the armed forces with a more modern personal protection system. Implementation began in 2017. Following an increase in the defence budget, it was decided in 2018 to extend the project, which was initially intended for part of the armed forces, to the entire armed forces. DOKS is intended for all Dutch soldiers of all branches of the armed forces. A total of around 40,000 to 45,000 soldiers from the navy, army, air force and military police are to be equipped with the new combat clothing system and combat helmet. The military police will receive the helmet in a black version.
Waldemar Geiger
