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4 April 2008: In an effort to increase theatre security cooperation, U.S. and Bulgarian airmen received familiarisation briefings on F-15C and MiG-29 aircraft at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria. One of the Bulgarian crew chiefs wears Bulgarian grey DPM. [Image: U.S. Department of Defense.]

Bulgarian 4-colour disruptive pattern
Republic of Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Army (Bulgarian: Българска армия) represents the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria. Operational elements of the Bulgarian Army include the Bulgarian Land Forces (Bulgarian: Сухопътни войски), the Bulgarian Navy (Bulgarian: Военноморски сили), and the Bulgarian Air Forces (Bulgarian: Военновъздушни сили, ВВС).

After the country became a NATO member, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense undertook a new downsizing, modernisation, and reform program (PLAN 2004), which will result in a smaller force structure of around 50 000 personnel, based upon a rapid reaction force and two additional corps headquarters, all with subordinate brigades.

Part of the reform process involved the design and trial of new camouflage uniforms that would conform to NATO guidelines. This 4-colour camouflage pattern was one of the designs to be adopted, as a result.

Known as 'Bulgarian grey DPM', the pattern comprises black, greyish-blue, and light grey elements on a greyish-white background. Like the Bulgarian 3-colour desert camouflage, Bulgarian grey DPM appears to be a version of Bulgarian 5-colour disruptive pattern, which has been re-purposed by means of colour substitution. However, I have not yet determined the exact relationship between the shapes in these two patterns.

Bulgarian grey DPM appears to be worn exclusively by ground personnel of the Bulgarian Air Forces.

kamouflage.net is grateful to Momchil Tachev, for his invaluable contribution to this article.

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