View source for Disruptive Pattern Material

{{Short description|Camouflage pattern used in British and some Commonwealth militaries}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2014}}
{{Infobox military gear
| name               = Disruptive Pattern Material
| image              = DPM Combat 95 Camouflage Material MOD 45149982.jpg
| image_size         = 300px
| alt                =
| caption            = British DPM Soldier 95 camo pattern
| origin             = United Kingdom
| type               = [[Military camouflage]] pattern
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1960–2016 (for main UK forces)
| used_by            = See ''[[Disruptive Pattern Material#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = 
[[South African Border War]]<br />[[The Troubles]]<br />[[Lebanese Civil War]]<br />[[Iran-Iraq War]]<br />[[Falklands War]]<br />[[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]<br />[[Gulf War]]<br />[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]<br />[[Iraq War]]<br />[[Syrian Civil War]]<br />[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = 
| design_date        = 1960
| manufacturer       = 
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 1960-present
| number             = 
| variants           = See ''[[Disruptive Pattern Material#Variants|Variants]]''
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| weight             = <!---{{convert|123|kg|lb|abbr=on}}--->
| length             = <!---{{convert|123|cm|in|abbr=on}}--->
| width              = 
| height             = 
| diameter           = 
}}

'''Disruptive Pattern Material''' ('''DPM''') is the commonly used name of a [[camouflage]] pattern used by the [[British Armed Forces]] as well as many other armed forces worldwide, particularly in former British colonies.

The main variants of DPM are a four-colour woodland pattern, and desert patterns in two, three or four colours. The Woodland Pattern DPM was used with the mediumweight No.8 Temperate Combat Dress (c.1966/1968) and lightweight [[Uniforms of the British Army#No.9: Tropical Combat Dress|No.9 Tropical Combat Dress]] (c.1976). The later Desert Pattern DPM (c.late 1980s) was designated the [[Uniforms of the British Army#No.5: Desert combat dress|No.5 Desert Combat Dress]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Emery|first1=Daniel|title=British Army to get new camouflage uniform|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8422942.stm?lsf|publisher=BBC|access-date=29 January 2017|date=20 December 2009}}</ref>

DPM has also been produced in black/white/grey Urban DPM, in various blue tones and even in purple.

DPM has been phased out in British military service, superseded by [[Multi-Terrain Pattern]].<ref name="Emery">{{cite news |last=Emery |first=Daniel |title=British Army to get new camouflage uniform |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8422942.stm |newspaper=[[BBC News Online]] |date=20 December 2009 |access-date=22 January 2014}}</ref>

==History==
The [[British Army]] first used a form of DPM for the famous [[Denison smock]] issued to the [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment]] and [[British Commandos]] from the early 1940s. The first examples of this design were said to be hand-painted.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.lyleandscott.com/?p=6713 |title=The Camo Collection |last=Drucquer |first=Amy |date=26 September 2013 |publisher=[[Lyle & Scott]] |access-date=22 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140122010101/http://blog.lyleandscott.com/?p=6713 |archive-date=22 January 2014 }}</ref> The Denison smock design went through minor changes, and continued in use with the [[Royal Marines]] and the [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment]] until the 1970s.

==Development==

===1960 Pattern===
From 1960, the British Army was issued with the 1960 Pattern field-uniform consisting of a ''Combat Smock'', ''Combat Trousers'', a ''Combat Hood'' attached to the smock by two epaulette buttons and a third button concealed under the collar, and, for exceptionally cold conditions, a [[Parka]].<ref name=IWM>{{cite web |title=Trousers, Camouflage DPM Combat Dress 1968 pattern |url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30094716 |publisher=Imperial War Museum |access-date=31 October 2015}}</ref>

===First limited use===
{{See also|Combat uniform#United Kingdom}}

A new British DPM was developed in the early 1960s, using the four basic western European temperate colours of black, dark brown, mid-green and a dark sand to make a very effective camouflage that has survived in its basic design, with no more than slight changes to the colours and pattern, until current times.

This design was probably used first on a very small scale for a hooded ''Smock, Windproof, 1963 Pattern'', issued only to special forces{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}.

In 1966 the Army introduced, though not universally, a camouflage field uniform.

Known informally as the 1966 Pattern, it was in fact identical in design to the 1960 Pattern kit, though now made in DPM fabric. It is labelled, like the earlier plain olive green version, ''Smock, Combat, 1960 Pattern'' and ''Trousers, Combat, 1960 Pattern''.

The 1966 DPM range did not completely replace the plain olive green 1960 Pattern Smock and Trousers, which continued to be worn widely until the 1968 DPM kit was issued. Both the [[Royal Marines]] and the Parachute Regiment continued to wear the ''Trousers, Combat, 1960 Pattern'' with the [[Denison smock]], and examples of these trousers were made even after 1968. These units eventually stopped issuing the Denison smock (in mid to late 1970s) and adopted smocks in the general-issue DPM while still for a time wearing the plain olive 1960 Pattern Trousers.

===The 1968 Pattern range—first general use===

Before the 1966 Pattern equipment had reached all units a slightly revised design of ''Smock, Combat'' and ''Trousers, Combat'' were introduced as the 1968 Pattern range. The 1966 Pattern DPM fabric design was changed very little for the 1968 issue, and it seems that the 1968 Pattern garments were made for some time in the two very similar DPM fabrics. A ''Hood, Combat, DPM'', made of DPM cotton fabric and with a plain olive green lining, was also included in the range, fastened as required to the back of the Smock with the two epaulette buttons and a third under the collar.

In doing this the British Army was the first to adopt a camouflage uniform universally.

For the Royal Marines, which had a responsibility for [[NATO]]'s northern flank, a ''Smock, Windproof, Arctic'' and ''Trousers, Windproof, Arctic'' were introduced circa 1972. These were made in a lightweight, but wind-proof, DPM fabric and could be worn over quilted jacket and trousers in extreme cold conditions. The design of both smock and trousers differ radically from both the standard and para designs. The smock is long and loose-fitting, and incorporates a voluminous wired-rim hood, while the trousers have zips in the lower leg to allow them to be put on over boots.

In the mid-1970s a new [[Smock Parachutist DPM]] (Para smock) was introduced for the [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment]] and other airborne units. Though made in the 1968 Pattern cotton fabric, its design was closer to that of its predecessor, the Denison smock.

At the same time a ''Smock, Sniper'', was introduced, based heavily on the [[Smock Parachutist DPM]] and sharing many of its details. It was distinguished by its padded elbows and shoulders, relocated lower pockets, multiple loops for securing natural camouflage material and hooks for the rifle sling.

During the late 1970s, batches of the 1968 Pattern camouflage were used by the [[United States Air Force Security Forces|USAF Police Tactical Neutralisation Teams]] at [[RAF Upper Heyford]] as a temporary stand-in for the [[ERDL pattern|ERDL]]/[[US Woodland|M81 Woodland]] fatigues.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf-upper-heyford.org/20th_SPS.html |title=Air Police/Security Police |last=Park |first=Duane |date=11 September 2011 |website=RAF Upper Heyford Memorial Website |access-date=22 January 2014}}</ref>

===Later developments===
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2014}}
[[File:British_forces_practice_CBRN_procedures_in_a_US_Army_facility_150226-A-BD610-004.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Members of the British armed forces wearing [[NBC suit]]s in desert and temperate variants of DPM in 2015.]]
The pattern was changed slightly with subsequent issues. On early 1960 Pattern (manufactured from 1966) and 1968 Pattern DPM uniforms the sand coloured base would appear to lighten in tone at night, becoming dangerously conspicuous. This was addressed in the late 1970s, when the sand and brown colours were slightly darkened. The 1985 Pattern has fewer, less precise dots and the brown is much darker; 1990 and later has a band of new shapes and is smaller; 1994 has an orangey colour instead of a tan. Tropical poly-cotton DPM uniforms varied even more; early versions were very brightly coloured notably with a russet brown and emerald green which faded to rather unexpected pastel tones of blueish green and pink-brown with washing. Late 1970s and early 1980s Tropicals have a more yellowish sand base and are greatly sought-after by those wishing to appear stylish, while the final production style in the early 1990s used colours closer to temperate uniforms.

DPM items in the Combat Soldier 95 clothing system have similar colours to the 1966 uniform. However, instead of all four colours being printed onto a whitish base, the material is in fact woven in the sand shade and overprinted only with three colours. This leads to a loss in contrast between the colours after washing and wear, and the clothing tends to appear darker when wet than previous types did.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

Although slight changes have been made to DPM and the colours, the pattern is easy to recognise. There are also jungle versions of DPM where the colours are brighter, and on one variation the tan is darker than the green.

From 1990{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} a system of [[personal load carrying equipment]] was introduced, initially produced in olive green. The olive type was quickly replaced in production by a disruptively patterned version, and now almost all British issue webbing and rucksacks are disruptively patterned in the [[Multi-Terrain Pattern]] (MTP).<ref>{{cite web|title=Personal Clothing|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/23215.aspx|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>

Current issued DPM equipment is IRR ([[Infrared]] Reflective) coated. This coating has a specific reflective wavelength in order to blend in with natural colours in the infra-red [[light spectrum]].<ref>{{cite web |title=British DPM Webtex Under Armour Combat Shirt |url=http://www.popularairsoft.com/news/british-dpm-webtex-under-armour-combat-shirt |publisher=Airsoft |access-date=28 July 2016 |date=24 January 2009}}</ref> This reduces the visibility of soldiers to [[night vision device]]s, which detect infra-red light, as trees and other green plants reflect deep red and infra-red light (the [[Infrared photography|Wood Effect]]).

====Desert variants====
[[File:DDPM.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A desert DPM camouflage pattern sample.]]

A desert variant was first issued on a limited basis in the late 1980s consisting of subdued sand and [[khaki]] hues but was replaced by a two-colour light brown on sand<ref name="Gulf War 1993">Armies of the Gulf War, Elite 45, Osprey Publishing 1993, Gordon L Rottman, {{ISBN|185532 277 3}}{{page number needed|date=March 2020}}</ref> version by 1990 because four-colour (light and dark browns, khaki, and sand) versions had been adopted by some Middle Eastern countries, notably Kuwait and the [[Republican Guard (Iraq)|Iraqi Republican Guard]].<ref name="Gulf War 1993"/> One variant including a shade of green is also currently worn by members of the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces]] assigned to the [[Garuda Contingent]] serving in the [[United Nations peacekeeping]] missions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.antaranews.com/news/93564/indonesia-aiming-to-be-among-key-contributors-of-peacekeeping-force|title=Indonesia aiming to be among key contributors of peacekeeping forces|publisher=antaranews.com|work=M Agung Rajasa|date=7 April 2014}}</ref>

A three colour (reddish brown, khaki, and sand) version also exists and was worn by Syrian forces,<ref>Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars 1948-73, Osprey Military 128, John Laffin, 2000, {{ISBN|085045 451 4}}{{page number needed|date=March 2020}}</ref> [[Lebanese Forces (Resistance)|Lebanese Forces]],<ref>Armies in Lebanon 1982-84, Osprey Publishing, Men-at-Arms 165, Samuel Katz and Lee E Russell, 1985, {{ISBN|978-0-85045-602-8}}{{page number needed|date=March 2020}}</ref> and the [[Saudi Arabian National Guard]].<ref name="Gulf War 1993"/>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Afghanistan Visit.JPG|British troops wearing two-colour [[Uniforms_of_the_British_Army#No.5:_Desert_Combat_Dress|No.5 Desert Combat Dress]] in 2007.
File:Saudi security forces on parade - Flickr - Al Jazeera English (12).jpg|Saudi Arabia National Guardsmen run past in three-colour desert DPM.
File:A_member_of_the_1st_Battalion,_325th_Airborne_Infantry_Regiment,_explains_the_M252_81mm_mortar_to_Saudi_Arabian_national_guardsmen.JPEG|Saudi Arabian National Guardsmen wearing three-colour desert DPM during [[Gulf_War#Operation_Desert_Shield|Operation Desert Shield]].
File:U.S._Airmen_assigned_to_the_379th_Expeditionary_Security_Forces_Squadron_and_military_members_with_a_partner_nation_perform_tactical_movements_during_training_at_an_undisclosed_location_in_Southwest_Asia_131120-F-EN483-135.jpg|Examples of a four-colour desert variant of DPM.
File:Satgas Kizi TNI Monusco XX Q Ikuti Penataran Contingent Training Capsule (CTC) di Kongo TA 2020.jpg|Multiple examples of the Indonesian four-colour variant of desert DPM
</gallery>

==Variants==

===New Zealand DPM===
{{main|New Zealand disruptive pattern material}}

===GVT M93===
A development of DPM used by the Armed forces of the Netherlands{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

==Users==
[[File:Survival Indonesian Army.jpg|thumb|[[Indonesian National Armed Forces]] DPM camo worn by Indonesian Army [[Kostrad]] soldier, also known as 'Loreng Malvinas' or '[[Falkland Islands|Malvinas]] Camo']]<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

===Current===

* {{BWA}}: Used by [[Botswana Defence Force]].{{CN|date=January 2023}}
* {{BGR}}: Known as M2003 DPM.<ref>{{Citation|title=Camouflage of the World: Bulgarian M2003 DPM|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USiA-ZW59s8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/USiA-ZW59s8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-08-14}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* {{flag|Cambodia}}: Used Indonesian DPMs by the 911th Special Forces Regiment.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|pp=208}} Cambodian-made DPMs used by the Cambodian Army.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|pp=209}}
* {{flag|Georgia}}: Used by [[Georgian Special Operations Command]].{{CN|date=April 2025}}
* {{flag|Greece}}: Some used by Greek special forces units.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=390}}
* {{flag|Hong Kong}}: Used by the [[Hong Kong Police Force]].{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
* {{flag|Indonesia}}: Used by the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces]] (TNI) since 1984 as standard issue,{{sfnp|Conboy|1991|p=56}} which was done under the order of then General [[L. B. Moerdani|Benny Moerdani]].{{sfnp|Conboy|2007|p=6}} Arid version used for desert terrain.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=232}} Digital version of the DPM made for soldiers graduating into Raider Battalions in December 2003.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=232}}
* {{flag|India}}: Uses Indian-made DPMs, currently only used by Airforce personnel.{{sfnp|Conboy|1992|p=59}} This is to be replaced by a digital camouflage pattern adopted in 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-combat-uniform-for-iaf-unveiled-on-air-force-day-details-here-101665210337807.html | title=New combat uniform for IAF unveiled on Air Force Day. Details here | date=8 October 2022 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Iran}}: Desert DPM is a standard use uniform in Iran's Army and Revolutionary Guard.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.camopedia.org/index.php/Iran | title=Iran - Camopedia }}{{better citation needed|date=September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.camopedia.org/index.php/DPM | title=DPM - Camopedia }}{{better citation needed|date=September 2024}}</ref>
* {{flag|Jamaica}}: DPM camo used by the [[Jamaica Defence Force]] since 1992 will be replaced by Hypersteath's Digital Combat Uniform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hyperstealth.com/Jamaica/|title=Jamaica selects Hyperstealth's Camouflage for their Ground and Naval Uniforms}}</ref>
*{{KEN}}: Used by [[Kenya Defence Forces]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-09-22|title=KENYA-ATTACKS|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/09/22/kenyan-army-elite-carrying-fn-scar-h/kenya-attacks/|access-date=2021-08-14|website=The Firearm Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{flag|Lesotho}}: Used by [[Lesotho Defence Force]].{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
* {{flag|Malawi}}{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
* {{PRK}}: DPM camo used by Border Guards.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
* {{flag|Oman}}: Used by the Omani military, using the British DPM as a basis by using orange and light khaki colors with the light khaki changed to light orange in the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.joint-forces.com/kit-camo/42430-omani-orange-disruptive-pattern-material|title=Omani Orange Disruptive Pattern Material|date=11 April 2021}}</ref><ref name="EFG">{{cite web|url=https://epochs.co/features/epochs-field-guide-to-camouflage|title=Epochs Field Guide to Camouflage|last=Epochs|website=epochs.co}}</ref>
* {{flag|Papua New Guinea}}: The Papua New Guinean military uses the ''Kumul'' DPM pattern{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=481}}, which are produced under contract by Platatac.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://soldiersystems.net/2022/10/06/land-forces-22-papua-new-guinea-clothing-and-individual-equipment/ | title=Land Forces 22 – Papua New Guinea Clothing and Individual Equipment - Soldier Systems Daily | date=6 October 2022 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Philippines}}: The Filipino-made DPM used by the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines|Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)]], colloquially referred to as the BDA (''Battle Dress Attire'') Pattern, is being incrementally replaced by Philippine Army Pattern (PHILARPAT) beginning in 2016,<ref>https://www.hyperstealth.com/Philippine-Army-copyright-patent-violation-of-Hyperstealth-CAMOPAT.pdf</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.mil.ph/ASCOM/pdf_files/logistics_magazine.pdf |title=Army Logistics Magazine |website=www.army.mil.ph |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810072646/http://www.army.mil.ph/ASCOM/pdf_files/logistics_magazine.pdf |archive-date=10 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> after it received official patent in the Philippines in the same year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/patgazette/IPASJournal/V20N9_ID_1stList.pdf |title=Publication of industrial design applications |website=onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315081058/https://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/patgazette/IPASJournal/V20N9_ID_1stList.pdf |archive-date=15 March 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>  
* {{flag|Russia}}: DPM clones known as ''Smog''.{{sfnp|Galeotti|2013|p=14}}
* {{flag|Serbia}}: Used by the [[Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (Serbia)|SAJ]] only in operations outside cities/towns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://specijalne-jedinice.com/Srbija/SAJ-English.html#sthash.H0GnUwyq.dpbs|title=Specijalne-jedinice.com - Special Anti-terrorist Unit-SAU|website=specijalne-jedinice.com|access-date=2018-08-22|archive-date=2018-07-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722213534/https://specijalne-jedinice.com/Srbija/SAJ-English.html#sthash.H0GnUwyq.dpbs|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sri Lanka}}: [[Special Task Force (Sri Lanka)|Special Task Force]].{{sfnp|Conboy|1992|p=57}}
* {{flag|Ukraine}}: Used by the Ukrainian military.{{sfnp|Galeotti|2019|p=63}}
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: Blue DPM used by British soldiers in OPFOR roles since 2015, and certain Cadet units still wear the pattern.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.joint-forces.com/features/kit-camo/30955-uk-opfor-blue-disruptive-pattern-material|title = UK OpFor ~ Blue Disruptive Pattern Material|date = 7 April 2020}}</ref>
* {{flag|Vanuatu}}: DPM used by [[Vanuatu Mobile Forces]].{{CN|date=April 2025}}

===Former===
* {{flag|Argentina}}: DPM clone known as '''Camuflaje Patagonico'' used by Argentine troops deployed in the Patagonia and Cordillerana regions.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=126}}
* {{flag|Australia}}: Formerly used by Royal Australian Air Force from 1970s-1980s.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}
* {{flag|Bahrain}}: Used both green and desert-type DPM until 2013 when they were replaced by digital patterns.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|pp=201-202}}
* {{flag|Bangladesh}}: Used an indigenous variant of the DPM.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|pp=203}}
* {{Flag|Bophuthatswana}}: Used on military uniforms.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}
* {{flag|Brunei}}: Replaced by Digital Disruptive Pattern-based BDUs made by Force-21 equipment in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://force21.com.sg/newsandevents/royal-brunei-armed-forces-rbaf-awarded-force-21-with-three-contracts/ |title=Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) awarded Force 21 with three contracts. : Welcome to Force 21 |website=force21.com.sg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927141235/https://force21.com.sg/newsandevents/royal-brunei-armed-forces-rbaf-awarded-force-21-with-three-contracts/ |archive-date=2019-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/2011/1_jun_1.html|title=Sultanate - News &#124; Negara Brunei Darussalam &#124; Excellence in the RBAF with new terms of service}}</ref>
* {{flag|Canada}}: Known to be used by airborne-trained soldiers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.joint-forces.com/features/kit-camo/23756-cadpat-tw-camo-royal-22e-regiment|title = CADPAT TW Camo ~ Royal 22e Régiment|date = 25 May 2019}}</ref> Small number of Desert DPMs bought for Canadian soldiers involved in UNIKOM.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mpmuseum.org/securdesert.html|title=Canadian Forces Desert Uniforms 1990 -1992}}</ref>
* {{flag|China}}: Used by Special Forces DPM pattern similar to that worn by the Philippines.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|pp=214}} Known to wear digital patterns based on said pattern.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|pp=215}}
* {{flag|Croatia}}{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}
* {{flag|Iraq}}: Known to be formerly used by the Iraqi military.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}
* {{flag|Ireland}}: Formerly used by the Army Ranger Wing from the 1980s to 1990s before they, like the rest of the Irish Defense Forces, began to be issued with the Irish DPM.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=396}}
* {{flag|Kuwait}}<ref name="EFG"/>
* {{flag|Malaysia}}: Used from surplus DPM British by Malaysian peacekeepers during [[UNPROFOR]] [[SFOR]] and [[IFOR]] in [[Bosnian War]]
* {{flag|Netherlands}}: From 1991 to 2011, known as M91 DPM.<ref name="DDPM">{{Cite web|url=https://www.joint-forces.com/features/kit-camo/30396-dutch-army-m91-disruptive-pattern-material|title = Dutch Army M91 Disruptive Pattern Material|date = 21 March 2020}}</ref> Some still in operational use.<ref name="DDPM"/>
* {{flag|New Zealand}}: From 1980 to 2013. See [[New Zealand disruptive pattern material]] for more details.
** Formerly used a New Zealand version of the Desert DPM.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}
* {{flag|Norway}}: Used by Special Forces until replaced by Multicam in early 2000s
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: DPM-based camos used by the SSG.{{sfnp|Conboy|1992|p=49}}
* {{flag|Philippines}}: Red DPM formerly used by Philippine Coast Guard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.camouniforms.net/index.php/southeast-asia/philippines/philippines-red-dpm/81-philippine-coast-guard-k9-unit-red-dpm-trousers|title=Philippine Coast Guard K9 Unit red DPM trousers|last=Martin|website=www.camouniforms.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829111658/http://www.camouniforms.net/index.php/southeast-asia/philippines/philippines-red-dpm/81-philippine-coast-guard-k9-unit-red-dpm-trousers|archive-date=2018-08-29|access-date=2020-03-27}}</ref>
* {{flag|Portugal}}: Adopted to replace their Lizard camo uniforms<ref name="Patterns">{{cite web |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/1059969.pdf |title=Standardized U.S.-led coalition forces uniform |website=apps.dtic.mil |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327072705/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/1059969.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="EFG"/> in the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.joint-forces.com/kit-camo/45785-portuguese-dpm-corpo-de-fuzileiros|title=Portuguese DPM ~ Corpo de Fuzileiros|date=14 August 2021}}</ref>
* {{flag|Romania}}: Used DPM until 2017.<ref name="Patterns"/>
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}: [[Saudi Arabian National Guard]] used three-color desert and black DPM.<ref name="Gulf War 1993" />
* {{flag|Sierra Leone}}{{CN|date=April 2025}}
* {{flag|Union of South Africa}}: [[Hunter Group]] and [[32 Battalion (South Africa)|32 Battalion]] operators use DPM-based clothing/gear in the [[South African Border War]].{{sfnp|Pitta|1993|p=54–55}}
* {{flag|Slovenia}}{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}
* {{flag|Sri Lanka}}: Used by the [[Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment]].{{sfnp|Conboy|1992|p=59}}
[[File:4days Nijmegen.JPG|thumb|Cadets of the British [[Air Training Corps#Uniform|Air Training Corps]] wearing temperate DPM, with the addition of brassards.]]
* {{flag|Syria}}: Locally developed copy used by the [[Syrian Army]].<ref name="SYun">{{Cite web|title=A snapshot of camouflage patterns in Syria – Armament Research Services|date=15 August 2016|url=http://armamentresearch.com/a-snapshot-of-camouflage-patterns-in-syria/|access-date=2020-09-02|language=en-GB}}</ref>
* {{flag|Thailand}}: Used by Thai special forces.{{sfnp|Conboy|1991|p=58}}
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: Desert and woodland patterns used by [[British Armed Forces]], the former used by OPFOR units after the Gulf War.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.joint-forces.com/kit-camo/30754-lithuanian-m05-misko-pattern-part-3-opfor|title = Lithuanian M05 Miško Pattern ~ Part 3 - OpFor|date = 2 April 2020}}</ref> Woodland pattern also used by [[Cadet#UK|cadet forces]] until the adoption of Multi-Terrain Pattern.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/2011/09/the-complex-guide-to-camo/tiger-camo|title=The Complex Guide To Camo1958, Tigerstripe, Vietnam|website=Complex}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/6844734/British-Army-to-get-new-uniforms-turned-down-by-the-US-and-made-in-China.html|title=British Army to get new uniforms – turned down by the US and made in China|first=Jasper|last=Copping|date=20 December 2009|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
** {{flag|British Hong Kong}}:
*** Formerly used by [[The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)]].{{CN|date=April 2025}}
*** Formerly used by [[Hong Kong Military Service Corps|The Hong Kong Military Service Corps]].{{CN|date=April 2025}}
* {{flag|Uzbekistan}}: Gray DPM formerly used by Uzbek special forces from 2006.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=343}}
* {{flag|Yemen}}<ref name="EFG"/>
* {{flag|Republic of Srpska}}: British DPM used from 1992-1997.{{CN|date=April 2025}}

===Non-State Actors===
* {{flag|Donetsk People's Republic}}{{sfnp|Crowther|2022|p=67}}
* Known to be used by anti-Assad forces in Syria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://armamentresearch.com/a-snapshot-of-camouflage-patterns-in-syria/|title=A snapshot of camouflage patterns in Syria – Armament Research Services|website=[[armamentresearch.com]]|date=15 August 2016}}</ref>
* [[File:Provisional Irish Republican Army Badge.svg|20px]] [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ansionnachfionn.com/2014/08/19/analysis-of-onae-video/|title = Analysis of ÓnaÉ Video|date = 18 August 2014}}</ref>

===Others===
* Used by the [[New Zealand Cadet Forces]] until 2023, now being phased out in favour of CWDs.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}
* Used by The Hong Kong Adventure Corps.{{CN|date=April 2025}}

==Replacement==

{{main|Multi-Terrain Pattern}}

Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) is a six-colour camouflage pattern intended to replace both the four colour woodland DPM uniform and the desert pattern uniform used by the British Armed forces. MTP was procured and announced in late 2009, predicated around use in the Afghanistan theatre of operations but applicable to other theatres. A range of patterns were tried and evaluated in Britain, Cyprus, Kenya and Afghanistan against DPM, desert patterns and existing commercially available patterns. In April 2010, MTP combat uniforms began being issued to forces deployed in Afghanistan.<ref name="Emery" /><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=New camouflage arrives in Afghanistan |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-camouflage-arrives-in-afghanistan |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Afghanistan)|Ministry of Defence]] |date=21 May 2010 |access-date=22 January 2014}}</ref>

It was intended for DPM to be phased out completely for British Regular and Reserve forces by 2016,<ref>{{cite news |last=Copping |first=Jason |title=British Army to get new uniforms – turned down by the US and made in China |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/6844734/British-Army-to-get-new-uniforms-turned-down-by-the-US-and-made-in-China.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=20 December 2009 |access-date=22 January 2014}}</ref> but the use of jungle pattern DPM could still be retained by special forces for jungle operations.

==See also==
*[[DPM Parachute Smock]]
*[[Smock Windproof DPM]]
*[[Combat uniform#United Kingdom]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |author1=Blechman, Hardy |author2=Newman, Alex |year=2004 |title= DPM: Disruptive Pattern Material|publisher=DPM Ltd |isbn=0-9543404-0-X}}
* {{cite book |title=South-East Asian Special Forces |last=Conboy |first=Kenneth |year=1991 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1855321069}}
* {{cite book |title=Elite Forces of India & Pakistan |last=Conboy |first=Kenneth |year=1992 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1855322097}}
* {{cite book |last=Conboy |first=Ken |title=ELITE: The Special Forces of Indonesia 1950-2008 |year=2007 |publisher=Equinox Publishing |isbn=978-9793780603 }}
* {{cite book |title=War in Ukraine: Volume 1: Armed Formations of the Donetsk People’s Republic, 2014-2022 |last=Crowther |first=Edward |year=2022 |publisher=Helion and Company |isbn= 978-1915070661}}
* {{cite book |title=Russian Security and Paramilitary Forces since 1991 |last=Galeotti |first=Mark |year=2013 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1780961057}}
* {{cite book |title=Armies Of Russia's War In Ukraine|last=Galeotti |first=Mark |year=2019 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn= 978-1472833440}}
* {{cite book |last1=Larson |first1=Eric H. |title=Camouflage: Modern International Military Patterns |date=2021 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=Barnsley |isbn=9781526739537}}
* {{cite book|last1=Pitta|first1=Robert|title=South African Special Forces|date=27 May 1993|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1855322943}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Disruptive Pattern Material}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090126212035/http://www.camotest.de/gallery/index.php/manufacturers_id/23 Camotest.de - over 70 Camo-Patterns in direct comparison - British Temperate-DPM in Test]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090124234536/http://camotest.de/gallery/index.php/manufacturers_id/74 Camotest.de - over 70 Camo-Patterns in direct comparison - British Desert-DPM in Test]

{{Camouflage}}

[[Category:Military uniforms]]
[[Category:Camouflage patterns]]
[[Category:British military uniforms]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1960s]]