Post by nighthawknz on Aug 6, 2019 0:01:29 GMT 12
New Zealand Defence Force switches uniforms following review and complaints
I also heard a rumour that one of the other reasons was the company that made multi-terrain pattern material and uniforms actually went out of business... not sure if that is true or not...
The New Zealand Defence Force has decided to ditch the camouflage uniform it spent $13.6 million to develop six years ago.
The current multi-terrain camouflage uniform (MCU), introduced in 2013, will be replaced with the New Zealand multi-terrain pattern (NZ MTP) uniform.
The change comes after a review and hundreds of complaints from personnel about the kit.
Stuff reported in April there were 716 reports highlighting unfit material and manufacturing faults in the uniforms between January 2017 and January 2019.
A Defence Force spokeswoman said feedback had been just one factor in the uniform revision with changes in supplier capacity, new technology and a desire to improve fit, form and function also having influenced the decision.
The uniform was also reported to be too hot to wear in some environments.
Reviewing and updating uniforms was routine for the Defence Force, she said.
The MCUs are worn by all ranks within the army and by defence personnel deployed on operations.
Defence Force publication Army News said production of the new uniform was planned to begin in late 2019 with distribution starting in 2020.
The NZ MTP uniform was developed in conjunction with the Defence Force's suppliers Work Wear Group. The spokeswoman said the cost was mostly covered by an existing contract, though this could not be revealed due to commercial sensitivity.
Parts of the uniform would be replaced over a number of years and would be covered by the Defence Force's annual clothing replacement funding.
The material would be sourced from the United Kingdom and the uniforms manufactured in Auckland and Christchurch.
Defence Minister Ron Mark in 2016, then in opposition, made comments about quality issues with the MCUs and lamented them being produced overseas.
Mark was pleased the uniforms would be manufactured domestically. "It is important for industry in New Zealand to be involved in supplying NZDF equipment where possible."
The current multi-terrain camouflage uniform (MCU), introduced in 2013, will be replaced with the New Zealand multi-terrain pattern (NZ MTP) uniform.
The change comes after a review and hundreds of complaints from personnel about the kit.
Stuff reported in April there were 716 reports highlighting unfit material and manufacturing faults in the uniforms between January 2017 and January 2019.
A Defence Force spokeswoman said feedback had been just one factor in the uniform revision with changes in supplier capacity, new technology and a desire to improve fit, form and function also having influenced the decision.
The uniform was also reported to be too hot to wear in some environments.
Reviewing and updating uniforms was routine for the Defence Force, she said.
The MCUs are worn by all ranks within the army and by defence personnel deployed on operations.
Defence Force publication Army News said production of the new uniform was planned to begin in late 2019 with distribution starting in 2020.
The NZ MTP uniform was developed in conjunction with the Defence Force's suppliers Work Wear Group. The spokeswoman said the cost was mostly covered by an existing contract, though this could not be revealed due to commercial sensitivity.
Parts of the uniform would be replaced over a number of years and would be covered by the Defence Force's annual clothing replacement funding.
The material would be sourced from the United Kingdom and the uniforms manufactured in Auckland and Christchurch.
Defence Minister Ron Mark in 2016, then in opposition, made comments about quality issues with the MCUs and lamented them being produced overseas.
Mark was pleased the uniforms would be manufactured domestically. "It is important for industry in New Zealand to be involved in supplying NZDF equipment where possible."
I also heard a rumour that one of the other reasons was the company that made multi-terrain pattern material and uniforms actually went out of business... not sure if that is true or not...