In 2003 the Bundeswehr introduced "Umtarnfarben" non-permanent camouflage colors into service in order to allow effective camouflage for vehicles and equipment when operating in desert and steppe-dominated arid regions. The Umtarnfarben range consists of five colours, namely Helloliv (RAL 6040 F9 light olive-green), Sandbraun (RAL 8031 F9 sand brown), Sandbeige (RAL 1039 F9 sand beige), Graubeige (RAL 1040 F9 grey beige) and Tarngrau (RAL 7050 F9 camouflage grey). Depending on the operational area, usually one, two or all three Fleckentarnanstrich colors can be painted over with Umtarnfarben. In Afghanistan, Bundeswehr vehicles are painted in different variants of camouflage patterns; there are versions with up to five colors.
For the first time this publication grants a closer look at this new "desert camouflage" of the Bundeswehr based on color samples and large format comparative photographs.
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