Kamuflirovannyi Letnyi Maskirovochnyi Kombinezon

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During the 1960s with the now widespread use of night vision optics and devices by NATO countries, the Soviet Union decided to develop a new item made to trick these devices. The solution was KLMK - Kamuflirovannyi Letnyi Maskirovochnyi Kombinezon (Camouflage Summer Deceptive Coverall). This one piece camouflage suit was soon to become one of the most widespread used and revered devices out of the Soviet Union.

This piece of camouflage was first trialled in 1968, and finally given to the Red Army in 1969. It has never been discontinued to this day.

This uniform has been seen in 5 different wars.

The Soviet war in Afghanistan
The first Chechen war
The war in Karabkah
The war in Georgia
The second Chechen war

It is issued by the USSR and the Russian Federation. It is also seen in some conflicts around the world, and by some soviet bloc countries.

KLMK is used in many different roles and by several of the Russian special forces groups.

It has been seen as being worn on sappers, snipers, and sometimes regular infantry.

Soviet forces saw the odd looking but effective new camouflage as strikingly odd. The patterns on it sometimes resembled the colossal ears of a bunny, and the look of sunshine on the forest floor. That is how many soviet soldiers now referred it to its new slang name (sun bunnies).

Basics on KLMK.