Cold and Wet Weather Gear

The first DPDU Cold Weather Uniforms were a Jacket and Over Trousers of printed Polar Fleece in Version 2 DPDU. The Jacket was of zippered neck pull over type design with an offset rank epaulet on the chest. It was reinforced on the shoulders and elbows with Twill material. The trousers were a simple over trouser also with knee reinforcement, a Velcro fly and zippered pass through pockets.

The first contract for a DPDU Cold Weather Uniform was Contract number 881944 of 26 Mar 2002.

http://www.contracts.gov.au/OutputContract.asp?ContractID=881944 and was placed with Walkabout PTY LTD.

This uniform was not very well received and was replaced with the introduction of Version 3 DPDU.

The First Version 3 Cold Weather Uniform featured a new Hard Face type material that was DPDU printed Nylon on the outside with Polar Fleece on the inside. The Jacket that opened via a full zipper and had sleeve pockets that mirrored the Version 3 DPDU Shirt. It retained the offset rank epaulet. This design was quickly modified. The Zippered opening was given a Velcro closed storm flap and the epaulet was relocated to the flap. The Over Trousers retained the same design as the previous uniform but were aslo made from the Hard Face Material. This is the current Cold Weather Uniform.

Picture from the Department of Defence

Cold Weather Uniforms Jackets pictured on Op. Pakistan Assist 2005.
Center: Version 2 DPDU Polar Fleece. Right: Version 3 First type. Left: Version 3 Final type also Version 2 Wet weather Parker.

The DPDU Wet Weather Uniform consists of a Parka and Over Trousers. They are made from a material called Emphatex. They were first made in Version 2 DPDU and then subsequently in Version 2 DPDU. More information will follow, about Wet Weather Uniforms.

Uniform styles

There have been a number of changes in the design of the DPDU uniforms since their introduction. The first contract for Coats and Trousers was Contract number 767521 placed 18 Oct 2001. www.contracts.gov.au/OutputContract.asp?ContractID=767521 and the second was Contract number 772372 placed 23 Oct 2001 www.contracts.gov.au/OutputContract.asp?ContractID=772372

These Version 1 DPDU Coats and trousers were exactly the same as the equivalent DPCU uniform (concealed button chest opening, shirt style collar, two slant opening chest pockets and 2 epaulets), with two changes. The first, a pair of pockets was added to the bottom front of the Coat. These pockets were only 15cm high. They were not very useful and some soldiers removed these pockets and added them to the upper sleeve so that they were accessible when worn with Body Armour. The second change was a piece of 25 mm Velcro Pile above the right hand chest pocket for a name tape.

Version 2 DPDU Coats and Trousers were in exactly the same cut as Version 1 DPDU.

Picture from Department of Defence
LT COL R. Tink SASR with unmodified Version 2 DPDU and Brassard.

Picture from Department of Defence.

SASR CAPT with modified Version 2 DPDU. Note non standard ANF flag.

Version 3 DPDU Coat

With the introduction of Version 3 DPDU Coats and Trousers in early 2003 there was a change in the cut of the Coat. The bottom pockets were removed and placed on the sleeves just like the modification that some soldiers were making themselves. These sleeve pockets were 20cm high. Above the sleeve pocket a 7.5 cm long piece of 50mm Velcro Pile was added for ANF and IFF insignia etc.

In 2006 the cut of the Version 3 DPDU was changed. It was made the same as the LAND 125 DPCU Coat and Trousers. The Coat still had the Concealed button front, Shirt style collar and Upper sleeve pockets. The Velcro that had previously been above the sleeve pocket flap was now sewn on the pocket flap itself. Above it on the left hand side was put an oval piece of Pile for an Army or Air Force "Biscuit" insignia. The chest pockets were now a simple patch pocket with vertical zippered openings. The epaulets were removed from the shoulders and a single epaulet was added to the front for a Rank Slide.

The trousers likewise were given simple patch cargo pockets opened by horizontal zippers. The belt loops were made fixed, no longer with button opening. the waist adjustment was changed from button to Velcro.

Material types

There are two types of material used in the manufacture of the basic uniform components, i.e shirts, trousers, hats, helmet covers and etc.
They are both made from cotton/polyester blend 75/25 %.
These are known as:

a. OxfordOxford is a 170 gsm fabric which is identified by its vertical weave.
It is used mainly in the manufacture of shirts.
More detailed specs are available here : http://www.bruck.com.au/images/stories/specs/scout_specs.pdf

b. Twill

Twill is a 240 gsm fabric which is identified by its diagonal weave.
It is used in the manufacture of trousers, hats, helmet covers and it is the reinforcement material in some cold weather items and inside armour covers.
More detailed specs are available here :
http://www.bruck.com.au/images/stories/specs/Jambouree_specs.pdf

Both Oxford and Twill materials have been used in the manufacture of Brassards and Rank Badges. It would appear that the contractors making those items are given which ever type of material that the Govt has spare at the time of the contract.

Camouflage versions

Camouflage versions.
There are 3 versions of DPDU camouflage.

Version 1.

Version 1 DPDU was produced in late 2001 and early 2002. It has 3 colours. These are a beige backing colour, a blue gray and a brown. It is also missing 1/3rd of the normal Auscam print. Like all DPDU clothing material this was made by Bruck Textiles in Melbourne Victoria. www.bruck.com.au

The first contract for DPDU material was Contract number 837840 on the 28Nov 2001. www.contracts.gov.au/OutputContract.asp?ContractID=837840

Version 2.

Version 2 DPDU was produced in mid 2002. It was developed due to apparent Dept of Defence unhappiness with Version 1. Version 2 reverts back to 5 colours. These are the same beige backing, blue gray and brown as Version 1. Also added were a darker gray and a lime green. Version 2 has the full Auscam print.

Version 3.

Version 3 DPDU is the current version. It was introduced in late 2002. The brown and light gray remain the same. The lime green was toned down a touch and the blue gray was made purple. The major change was to the backing colour which was made yellow.

Australian Desert Camouflage Uniforms.

This site has just been started and is in under construction.

This site has been created to be a useful source of information on Australian Disruptive Pattern Desert Uniforms, also known as DPDU, for the Collector and Enthusiast.
Described will be uniform styles and compositions and also the badges worn with these uniforms.

Pictures posted will be from examples in the Authors collection. Australian Department of Defence pictures will also be used to highlight some items where one was not available to the Author to photograph.

Under each heading along with photographs and description will be Contractor information when this is known.