The breakup of Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993 logically also led to the division of the army. However, the camouflage patterns of the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic remained completely identical at that time, since their design had been created back during the period of mutual cooperation. Do you know, though, which camouflage patterns are officially used by the Slovak army today?
Slovak camouflage patterns
Let us stay in history for a moment longer. The vz 85 "List" camouflage pattern was designed back in 1985 and it was intended that the entire Czechoslovak army would adopt it. This pattern never achieved full implementation. After the split, some units of the Slovak army did wear it, but only for approximately 2 years (from 1992 to 1994).
The design of the vz 85 "List" camouflage pattern (image above) was largely influenced by and designed after the US M1948 ERDL camouflage pattern. The colors, however, are understandably different. Information on whether these uniforms were actually used in practice on foreign missions cannot be found.
Just for interest, in 1985 a two-color desert camouflage pattern vz 85 was also being developed, but it was never officially adopted. It was meant to be used mainly for camouflage pants and camouflage shorts + other types of army clothing.
Another Slovak Republic camouflage pattern was vz 95, which was used from approximately 1995 onward. The pattern brought a combination of 3 colors - black, gray-green and olive green on a pale background. Initially it was printed on heavier cotton fabric, later on lighter materials made mainly of cotton, but also with a ripstop blend.
Current camouflage patterns of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic
The Slovak woodland camouflage pattern, very often used, was introduced in 1995. It gradually replaced the vz 95 pattern mentioned above. Its patterns differed from the American US M81 woodland pattern and it had distinct black, brown and green elements on a khaki background. It also resembles the French CCE (Camo Central Europe), only vz 1997 has somewhat smaller spots. The pattern is officially known as vz 1997 (Slovak camo). In our e-shop, for example, we have a camouflage T-shirt in the M97 SK TARN pattern.
In the same year, the first desert camouflage pattern of the Slovak Republic was also introduced, which was largely a copy of the desert pattern originally issued back in 1985. The color differs only slightly from the original version and the later version used by the Czech Republic.
The listed camouflage patterns of the Slovak Republic were used for a fairly long period. It was not until 2007 that the Slovak army introduced new pixel camouflage patterns with brown, dark green and khaki shapes on an olive-green base. The pattern was officially named vz 2007 Les, unofficially known as Kocky.
In 2007, among other things, a desert version of the pixel pattern with digital printing was also introduced. This pattern is officially designated as vz 2007 Púšť.
So, which camouflage pattern of Slovakia do you like the most? The older classic, which dates back to the times of the joint ČSA, or the modern digital patterns from 2007? We personally swear by the classic, and we prefer camouflage t-shirts in the older patterns.
