The Russian all season set of field uniforms (VKPO) (Russian: Всесезонный комплект полевого обмундирования (ВКПО), romanized: Vsesezonnyy komplekt polevogo obmundirovaniya (VKPO) or All-season set of field uniforms in English) (Previously called VKBO - Russian: Всесезонный комплект базового обмундирования, romanized: Vsesezonnyy komplekt bazovogo obmundirovaniya All-season basic kit in English) is a layered clothing system (popularly known as капуста/kapusta "cabbage") manufactured by the Russian BTK Group (Russian: «БТК групп») and adopted as a standard uniform by the Russian military, designed for use at temperatures from +15 °C (59 °F) to −40 °C (−40 °F).[1][2]
The initial VKPO kit is in EMR but in 2023, Russia has adopted Multicam as a standard camouflage of its new Army field uniform kit, VKPO 2.0, VKPO 3.0 and VKPO 4.0. [3]
Description
editThe full set of VKPO (VKBO) is a multi-level system that includes up to eight layers of clothing. The use of various combinations of these layers makes it possible to provide comfortable work for a serviceman under different weather conditions with different physical loads. The minimum composition of the clothes of the VKPO kit is designed to work at temperatures above + 15 °C. In the maximally insulated VKPO (VKBO) configuration it protects from temperatures down to -40 °C. The ability to combine layers in accordance with the weather and the planned intensity of work is one of the main advantages multigrade set of field uniforms.[4]
The layers
editAll layers are worn with the basic two-piece EMR camouflage suit.[5][6]
Layers 1 and 2 are worn under the EMR Summer suit.
- Layer 1: Base layer of two types of underwear both made of cotton,
- a suit consisting khaki roundneck undershirt and boxer-brief shorts[7] and
- a Long underwear suit with long legs and long sleeves,[8]
- Layer 2: fleece long underwear with long legs and long sleeves worn over Layer 1,[9]
Layers 3 thru 8 are worn over the EMR Summer suit.
- Layer 3: Fleece jacket, in khaki, worn over the EMR summer camouflage suit,[10]
- Layer 4: Windbreaker Jacket in EMR camouflage,[11]
- Layer 5: two-piece "Demi-Season" Suit consisting of a water resistant jacket and suspendered trousers,[12]
- Layer 6: two-piece water proof and wind proof suit in EMR camouflage,[13][14]
- Layer 7: an insulated, water and wind resistant vest in EMR camouflage worn typically over Layer 5 or Layer 6,[15]
- Layer 8: essentially the "shinel (greatcoat)" of the modern Russian army, though it is designed to be worn with many layers underneath, in EMR camouflage. It serves as both an insulation layer and a shell layer. Per regulations, it is worn with the VKPO winter cap (the modern Ushanka), VKPO winter mittens, and VKPO winter boots.[16]
The VKPO clothing system includes all in EMR unless otherwise noted:
- VKPO winter ushanka hat[17]
- VKPO Balaklava in black or EMR [18]
- VKPO mittens[19]
- VKPO Haversack
- VKPO Patrol cap
- VKPO tube scarf
- VKPO belt in black or olive nylon webbing
- VKPO black leather combat boots in summer and winter versions.
-
EMR Summer uniform
-
Layer 6
-
Layer 5
-
Layer 8
-
Soldier in Yudashkin Suit
References
edit- ^ "Full Set of VKPO".
- ^ "ВКПО (ВКБО) - подробный обзор униформы". forma-odezhda.com. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
- ^ "Russian army receives first new camo uniforms from Triada-TKO Kalashnikov | Defense News May 2023 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2023 | Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ "VKPO (VKBO) All Season Clothing System".
- ^ "Russian Army VKPO (VKBO) Summer Suit EMR (Digital Flora)".
- ^ "В Вооруженных Силах России осуществляется переход на новую полевую формы одежды" [The Russian Armed Forces are transitioning to a new field uniform]. function.mil.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2018-02-12.
- ^ "Russian Army VKPO (VKBO) Layer 1 Underwear Short Khaki".
- ^ "Long Underwear VKPO".
- ^ "Russian Army VKPO (VKBO) Layer 2 Underwear Long Fleece Khaki".
- ^ "vkbo-layer-3-fleece-jacket". russiancoldcamo.com.
- ^ "Russian Army VKPO (VKBO) Layer 4 Jacket EMR (Digital Flora)".
- ^ "Russian Army VKPO (VKBO) Layer 5 Demi-Season Suit EMR (Digital Flora)".
- ^ "Russian Army VKPO (VKBO) Layer 6 Water Proof and Wind Proof Suit EMR (Digital Flora)".
- ^ "VKPO (VKBO) Membrane Suit".
- ^ "Russian Army VKPO (VKBO) Layer 7 Winter Vest EMR (Digital Flora)".
- ^ "VKBO Layer 8 Winter Suit". russiancoldcamo.com.
- ^ "Russian Army VKPO (VKBO) Ushanka Winter Hat New Generation EMR (Digital Flora)".
- ^ "Russian Army VKPO (VKBO) Balaclava Olive".
- ^ "VKPO (VKBO) Mittens".
See also
edit- Extended Cold Weather Clothing System - the US Army's equivalent