DPM: Disruptive Pattern Material

DPM (or Disruptive Pattern Material) is the camouflage pattern used by British Armed Forces. It is also used by many other armies around the world, especially former British colonies. Some of these are direct copies and some are variations, which is why we now tend to refer to British DPM.

The main variation is woodland and uses four colours: olive, green, brown and black. The jungle variation is very similar to woodland, but the colours are brighter. The desert variation only uses two colours - tan and brown - and is more often referred to as desert camo. The reason for only using two colours in desert camo is that some countries in the Middle East (like Iraq!) used a four colour variation.

The use of black has been criticised as there is no black in nature. However, once it has faded, the black becomes dull and looks more natural. It has also been shown that although black stands out at close quarters, it blends in very well at distance because our brains interpret dark colours and shadows as black.

DPM was developed in the early 1960s. When the British Army issued DPM smocks and trousers in 1966 it meant Britain was the first country to fully adopt a camouflage uniform.

From 1990 the British Army has been using the PLCE system, or Personal Load Carrying Equipment. This was originally issued in both olive green and DPM, but now all rucksacks and webbing are only issued in DPM.