VKPO uniform

The Russian all season set of field uniforms (VKPO) (Russian: Всесезонный комплект полевого обмундирования (ВКПО), romanized: Vsesezonnyy komplekt polevogo obmundirovaniya (VKPO) or All-season set of field uniforms in English) (Previously called VKBO - Всесезонный комплект базового обмундирования) is a layered clothing system (popularly known as "cabbage") manufactured by the Russian BTK Group (Russian: «БТК групп») and adopted as a standard uniform by the Russian military, designed for use at temperatures from +15 °C (59 °F) to −40 °C (−40 °F).^[1][2]

Description

The full set of VKPO (VKBO) is a multi-level system that includes up to eight layers of clothing. The use of various combinations of these layers makes it possible to provide comfortable work for a serviceman under different weather conditions with different physical loads. The minimum composition of the clothes of the VKPO kit is designed to work at temperatures above + 15 °C. In the maximally insulated VKPO (VKBO) configuration it protects from temperatures down to -40 °C. The ability to combine layers in accordance with the weather and the planned intensity of work is one of the main advantages multigrade set of field uniforms.^[3]

The layers

All layers are worn with the basic two-piece EMR camouflage suit.^[4][5]

Layers 1 and 2 are worn under the EMR Summer suit.

• Layer 1: Base layer of two types of underwear both made of cotton,
  • a suit consisting khaki roundneck undershirt and boxer-brief shorts^[6] and
  • a Long underwear suit with long legs and long sleeves,^[7]
• Layer 2: fleece long underwear with long legs and long sleeves worn over Layer 1,^[8]

Layers 3 thru 8 are worn over the EMR Summer suit.

• Layer 3: Fleece jacket, in khaki, worn over the EMR summer camouflage suit,^[9]
• Layer 4: Windbreaker Jacket in EMR camouflage,^[10]
• Layer 5: two-piece "Demi-Season" Suit consisting of a water resistant jacket and suspendered trousers,^[11]
• Layer 6: two-piece water proof and wind proof suit in EMR camouflage,^[12][13]
• Layer 7: an insulated, water and wind resistant vest in EMR camouflage worn typically over Layer 5 or Layer 6,^[14]
• Layer 8: essentially the "coat" of the modern Russian army, though it is designed to be worn with many layers underneath, in EMR camouflage. It serves as both an insulation layer and a shell layer. Per regulations, it is worn with the VKPO winter cap (the modern Ushanka), VKPO winter mittens, and VKPO winter boots.^[15]

The VKPO clothing system includes all in EMR unless otherwise noted:

• VKPO winter ushanka hat^[16]
• VKPO Balaklava in black or EMR ^[17]
• VKPO mittens^[18]
• VKPO Haversack
• VKPO Patrol cap
• VKPO tube scarf
• VKPO belt in black or olive nylon webbing
• VKPO black leather combat boots in summer and winter versions.

• 
  EMR Summer uniform
• 
  Layer 6
• 
  Layer 5
• 
  Layer 8
• 
  Soldier in Yudashkin Suit

References

See also

• Extended Cold Weather Clothing System - the US Army's equivalent

Wikimedia Commons has media related to VKBO military uniform kit.

This page was last edited on 5 April 2024, at 17:09