Swedish Military Uniform

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Swedish soldier during training wearing the standard m90 uniform, was well as the standard combat vest

Swedish Military Uniform (M90) in Sweden is the standard military uniform worn into combat, as opposed to the dress uniforms (Mässdräkt) worn at parades or functions. The M90 (Model 1990) is in camouflage colors, but as such it exists only in two schemes, woodland and desert. The desert type is new and was handed out to the Swedish contingent in Afghanistan in 2006. The uniform has also been undergoing some R&D lately, and it is possible that new materials such as Gore Tex and Kevlar will be used in the future to further strengthen and adapt the uniform to special conditions. It also exists different combat variants like the M90P, which stands for Model 1990 Pansar, i.e. special uniform for the armoured units and Tank regiments (Pansarregemente). This uniform has more different kinds of pockets, like clip pockets. The tank crews normally does not wear combat vests because of the narrow space inside the tanks.

[edit] History

Units of soldiers have for thousand of years worn uniforms. From the Egyptians, Chinese, Greeks, Romans, etc. However, during the Middle Ages this practice somewhat changed. It was then up to knights to equip themselves. This started a progress where soldiers began to appear different from each other. There was little or no cohesion, and each man was responsible for his own equipment.

Nations had, of course, special units equipped in the very latest style and equipment, but for the entire armies it was very much up to the individual. During the Thirty Years War the armies more often than not looked liked ragged looters, walking across Germany. Towards the end of the 17th century Swedish king Karl XI started to reform his army. He brought in new equipment, new tactics and new formations. Transforming the northern country into a military state much like 18th century Prussia. Karl XI also introduced Sweden's, and possibly the world's, first standard issue army uniform in 1693.

The king was very detail minded, and so he checked the individual soldiers and units many times over the years. Testing their equipment and looking over their uniforms. This made his army strong, well equipped and above all, ready for action.