Kamuflirovannyi Letnyi Maskirovochnyi Kombinezon

Soviet-made green digital camouflage

Kamuflirovannyi Letnyi Maskirovochnyi Kombinezon
TypeMilitary camouflage pattern
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1968–present
Used bySee Users
Wars
  • Soviet–Afghan War
  • Afghan Civil War (1989-1992)
  • First Nagorno-Karabakh War
  • Russo-Georgian War
  • War in Donbas
  • Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
Production history
Designed1968
Produced1968–present
VariantsSee Variants

The Kamuflirovannyy Letniy Maskirovochnyy Kombinezon[1] (Russian: Камуфлированный Летний Маскировочный Комбинезон, lit.'Camouflaged Summer Disguise Coverall')[2] or KLMK is a military uniform with a camouflage pattern developed in 1968 by the Soviet Union to overcome the widespread use of night vision optics and devices by NATO countries.[3] This one-piece camouflage suit became one of the most widely used in the Soviet Union.

As of 2018[update], the KLMK was being produced.[3]

History

KGB Border Guards wearing KLMK uniforms

The KLMK was issued to KGB Border Guards in service dress uniforms.[4] It was later seen with their forces sent to Afghanistan during the Soviet–Afghan War.[5]

Design

The KLMK is made with a digitalized spatter-like pattern.[6]

Variants

KZS Suit

The KZS (kostium zashchitnoi seti or protective net suit) Suit is a two-piece camouflage suit, designed for use by chemical troops. Made of coarse loose weave cotton fabric.[2] It was first issued to Soviet chemical troops in 1975[2] and was later widely used by troops from all combat arms, especially during the Afghan war.[6]

The KZS was made to be disposable once it cannot be used any longer.[6]

It is also known as the Berezka or Color 57.[7]

Users

  •  Armenia[8]
  •  Azerbaijan[9]
  •  Belarus: KLMK and KZS-type camos used by Belarusian special forces.[10] KZS camos used by Belarusian border guard forces in public appearances.[11]
  •  Kyrgyzstan[citation needed]
  •  Tajikistan: Berezhka-based patterns used by Tajik Border Guard.[12]

Former

Partially-recognized states

  •  South Ossetia: Used by pro-Russian irregulars during the 2008 Russian-Georgian War.[17]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b Zaloga (1985), p. 56.
  2. ^ a b c "Trousers, Camouflage, M1975 KZS: Soviet Army". Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b "KLMK - the Soviets Did Digital Camouflage First - Soldier Systems Daily". Soldier Systems Daily. 1 March 2018. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b Zaloga (1985), p. 27.
  5. ^ Isby (1986), p. 40.
  6. ^ a b c Dougherty (2017), p. 70.
  7. ^ "Russian Camo: What Camouflage Does Russia Use ?". April 2020. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  8. ^ Larson (2021), p. 194.
  9. ^ Larson (2021), p. 198.
  10. ^ Larson (2021), p. 335.
  11. ^ Larson (2021), p. 358.
  12. ^ Larson (2021), p. 328.
  13. ^ Afghanistan - Rebels Without A Cause (1989), retrieved 26 June 2023
  14. ^ TiltedTowersAfg (8 April 2023). "A Afghan Commando Paratrooper in a KLMK suit, Democratic Republic Of Afghanistan, 1980s [1364x2048]". r/MilitaryPorn. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  15. ^ "General Khushal distributing medals to the members of the Afghan National Guard after the Battle of Jalalabad (1989) [750x749]". r/MilitaryPorn. 24 July 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Ukrainian M14 Digital Pattern". joint-forces.com. 5 October 2019. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  17. ^ Galeotti (2013), p. 56.

Works cited

  • Dougherty, Martin (2017). Camouflage at War: An Illustrated Guide from 1914 to the Present. London, UK: Amber Books. ISBN 978-1782744986.
  • Galeotti, Mark (2013). Russian Security and Paramilitary Forces since 1991. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1780961057.
  • Isby, David C. (1986). Russia's War in Afghanistan. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-0850456912.
  • Larson, Eric H. (2021). Camouflage: International Ground Force Patterns, 1946–2017. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 9781526739537.
  • Zaloga, Steven (1985). Soviet Bloc Elite Forces. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-0850456318.
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