Army launches campaign to prevent misuse of combat dress
Ahead of commencing the sale of newly designed combat uniform for the general soldiers and officers, Army’s Northern Command has launched a full-fledged campaign to prevent its misuse and unauthorized sale by the traders engaged in business of Army goods and stores.
The campaign was initiated from garrison town Udhampur that headquarters Army’s Northern Command, which has been facing Borders with Pakistan and China besides internal security challenge with terrorist groups.
The command cautioned the retailers and wholesalers trading Army Goods and Stores to refrain from unauthorised proliferation of the force’s new combat dress, which was showcased on Army Day (January 15) this year.
The measures were launched to ensure that its new combat uniform is not misused and to plug any possible gaps in security.
Military sources said that the new uniform will be available through central procurement and Canteen Stores Department (CSD) outlets in the country by August 2022 while the entire force is slated to switch to the new uniform over the next three years i.e. by 2025, keeping in view the available stock and life of the current uniform.
“By August, Army personnel will be able to procure the cloth from the CSD and get the uniform stitched,” the military sources said.
“Instructions have been issued to Army personnel, prohibiting them from buying the new uniform from unauthorised vendors,” they added.
Furthermore, the Army also applied for the patent rights to prevent unauthorized use and sale of new uniforms.
“It has come to light that certain cloth and tailoring shops in the vicinity of Army Cantonments and military stations have started stocking unauthorised variants of the new uniform,” the sources said, adding, “To prevent this Army had, in April, applied for the patent at the office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks. The patent and intellectual property rights (IPR) are expected soon.”
“Corps of Military Police and Jammu and Kashmir Police have conducted an awareness campaign among shopkeepers in the Udhampur Cantonment Town to prevent the sale of the new uniform,” Northern Command’s spokesperson said.
“The reason for conceptualizing such a campaign is the cause of security concern arising out of uncontrolled proliferation of existing combat uniforms,” the spokesperson said adding, “Sale of Indian army uniform in open market affords easy availability of the uniform to anybody desiring for the same, hence, pose vulnerabilities for security of military establishments and personnel.”
“Now, the Indian Army has chalked out plans to take tough action against the dealers who are selling unauthorised but almost similar looking pattern and fabric uniforms,” he said adding, “Once the patent process is completed, any unauthorised shopkeeper selling the new combat uniform will face legal action.”
Sources added that a similar campaign is expected in other towns of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in coming days.
The Army’s new combat uniform was launched in January 2022. The uniform is unique in its creation as it has an exclusive digital camouflage pattern, contemporary and functional design, and a lighter yet stronger and more breathable fabric.
The soldiers wear the combat uniform in operational areas, officers posted in the Army headquarters in New Delhi also wear the combat dress on Fridays, in solidarity with men operating in the forward areas.
