Camouflage Central-Europe
French woodland camouflage pattern
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Camouflage Central-Europe (French: Camouflage Centre-Europe) is the standard camouflage pattern of the French Armed Forces.[1]
| Camouflage Central-Europe | |
|---|---|
A CCE swatch fabric sample | |
| Type | Military camouflage |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1994–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Bosnian War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Operation Serval |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | 1991–present |
| Variants | See § Variants |
It is also used for vehicles of the French Army but with different shapes, since 1986,[2] it took six years to generalize it to the entire military fleet. It is now being replaced since 2020 by the "Scorpion Camouflage" which is intended for new generation vehicles.[3]
History
Camouflage Central-Europe (CCE) was introduced in 1991,[4] replacing both TAP 47 pattern camouflage and khaki F2 uniforms as used by the French military. But the pattern was brought to service by 1994.[5]
In 2018, a contract worth €50 million was made for new combat suits in CCE camo pattern.[6] In 2019, the Tenue Combat F3 uniform was announced to be the standard uniform in CCE for the French Army.[7]
In 2024, the CCE is being replaced by a Multicam-based camo called the BME.[8][9]
Design
It is suggested that the design of the CCE was primarily based around the summer foliage of Fontainebleau forest.[10] The design is made of black branches and large horizontal medium green and brown colored elements on a tan background,[10] being inspired by the U.S. Woodland pattern.[11]
Two variants of the CCE are used in French military uniforms, which consist of the Uniform T3 and the Uniform T4.[12]
French body armour and helmet covers in Camouflage Central-Europe.
Moussa Dadis Camara of the Guinean Army wearing CCE in 2009.
Users
Austria: Vests with the pattern used by Austrian Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina soldiers in 2004.[10]
Cape Verde: Used by the Cape Verdean National Guard.[13]
Central African Republic: CCE clones used by CAR military units.[14]
Comoros: CCE clones used by Comoran military units.[15]
France: Introduced by the French military in 1991,[4] but only adopted in service in 1994.[5]
India: Used a similar camouflage pattern inspired by CCE for Indian troops from 2006, officially designated as PC-DPM[16] Being replaced by new disruptive digital pattern made by NIFT from 2022.[17] To be retired by 2026.[18]
Madagascar: Used by Malagasy troops in 2009 Malagasy coup d'etat.[19]
Russia: Used by Alpha Group.[citation needed]
Qatar: Used by Qatari troops deployed to Lebanon in 2006.[20]
Ukraine: Used by Maksym I.(surnom - Français) and Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment.[21]
United Arab Emirates: UAE troops wore CCE uniforms in Kosovo during peacekeeping operations.[22]
See also
- Camouflage Daguet, the French military's desert camouflage pattern.
