On 01 April 2022 Brussels announced that Belgian Defence Clothing System (BDCS) in MultiCam camouflage would replace M1999 Jigsaw Pattern, writes Bob Morrison.
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A Combined Arms Tactical Sub Group drawn primarily from Bvr/5 Li (Bataillon Libération – 5ede Ligne) was the first conventional Belgian Army formation to deploy operationally in Crye MultiCam camouflage, to Romania in June 2023. Prior to this MultiCam pattern uniforms had only been seen worn by Belgian Special Forces Group personnel.
At the recent Eurosatory 2026 defence and security expo in France an infantry squad, coincidentally also from Bvr/5 Li, wearing MultiCam BDCS uniforms and transported in one of the recently introduced Belgian GRIFFON 6×6 VBMR, participated in the French Army capability display. After the demo I seized the opportunity to quickly photograph an OR-2 (1ste Soldaat or Private 1st Class) wearing officially issued MultiCam uniform for this widely read section of JOINT-FORCES. Shortly before this the Belgian squad participating in the capability display were supported by a French Army counter-UAS team wearing French BME pattern and I have added a photo at the bottom of this page to illustrate how the two patterns are compatible.
[images © Bob Morrison]
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¤ Further reading:-
- BDCS ~ Belgian Defence Adopts Crye MultiCam Uniform
- Operation FORWARD LAND FORCES Belgian Contingent
- Belgian M1999 Jigsaw Camo Pattern
- Know Your MultiCam ~ OEFP or OCP?
- New French Army BME Pattern
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