Source:
www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2012/may/17may12_nr.html
Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Republic of
Singapore Navy (RSN) personnel will soon receive new combat
uniforms, commonly known as No. 4 uniforms. To meet the varying
demands of the 3rd Generation Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF)
operating environment, the SAF had introduced a new combat uniform
for Army servicemen in 2008. The equipping of RSAF and RSN
servicemen with the new No.4 uniform is part of the SAF's
continuing effort to enhance the servicemen's survivability and
operational effectiveness. This change will be phased-in
progressively over the next three years.
For RSAF servicemen, the No.4 uniform will replace the current
RSAF coverall for Air Force Engineers. Air Warfare Officers in the
Command, Control and Communication community, as well as Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle Pilots and Systems Specialists, will wear their No.4
uniforms during duty. For RSN servicemen, the No. 4 uniform will
replace the Naval Combat Rig, worn by personnel on board ships, at
naval bases and in base defence squadrons.
The new No. 4 uniforms will debut at this year's Singapore Armed
Forces Day Parade and National Day Parade. Equipping for active
servicemen will commence in the later part of 2012 while
Operationally Ready National Servicemen will be progressively
equipped from 2013 onwards.
The SAF has introduced a No.4 uniform for Navy and Air
Force personnel to enhance operational effectiveness and enhance
functionality:
a) Enhancing operational
effectiveness
In view of the urban terrain of the
air and naval bases, two separate greyish-blue pixelised patterns
were selected to achieve better concealment and enhance
survivability. The colour scheme is a better match against the
commonly used colours of aircraft, ships and key installations.
This effectively blends the airmen and sailors in their respective
operating platforms and enhances their survival by delaying enemy
detection time.
The pixelised pattern generates
micro-patterns within macro-patterns to reduce detection of
personnel, making personnel less obvious as a visual target for
hostile forces, while working in an airfield environment, a naval
base or on the exposed decks of a ship.
b) Enhancing functionality
The new uniforms take advantage of
advances in material technology such as quick dry properties and
greater heat and perspiration dissipation. The uniforms will also
have improved features to adhere to the safety requirements and
mitigate potential hazards in the working environment. New safety
boots of breathable material with zip and composite toe-cap will
replace the current safety boot.
