Spain

Spanish Camouflage Patterns

Introduced into service between 1959 and 1960, the m59 rocosos (rocky) camouflage pattern saw use until around 1986. The pattern consists of black and transluscent red & olive green amoeba shapes on a tan background with overprinted flecks of off-white, and probably saw the widest number of items in production over the course of its career. This pattern was worn by Army paratroops, special operations companies (COE), and the Spanish Legion. It is known by many collectors as the Spanish "brown amoeba" pattern.

A color variation of the above, the m60 boscosos (woodland) camouflage pattern saw use between 1960 and the 1970s. Using essentially the same drawings as the m59, this print version consists of black and transluscent red & green amoeba shapes on a pale green background with overprinted flecks of off-white. The pattern was also utilized by Army special operations companies (COE), paratroops, and the special operations unit (BOEL) of the Spanish Legion. Collectors have often referred to this pattern as Spanish "green amoeba."

Two variations of the rocosos camouflage pattern are seen here, dating to the 1970s. The first was printed on the M1969 model Infantry & Legion uniforms, whilst the second comes from a neckscarf worn as a cravat.

A third version of the oft-nicknamed "amoeba" pattern emerged for use in the Spanish Sahara in 1975. This árido or desert camouflage consists of russet, lime green & ochre amoeba shapes on a sandy background with overprint of pale yellow flecks. The pattern was worn almost exclusively by the Spanish Legion in North Africa and reputedly only lasted for a couple of years.

In 1982, Spain introduced a camouflage pattern heavily influenced by the USA m1948 ERDL design. The pattern, black, brown & forest green shapes on a khaki-green background, was initially tested by the Army's special operations companies, but ultimately became the standard issue uniform of the Spanish Armed Forces in 1985 or 1986. Often referred to as the Spanish "leaf" or "ERDL" pattern, shown below is the original COE uniform pattern as well as the standardized version adopted in the late 1980s.

In 1990 the Spanish Army determined it needed a desert camouflage pattern in which to outfit military personnel serving primarily with the United Nations missions abroad. The design chosen was the original US six-color pattern of black & white "chips" over medium brown, light brown & tan shapes on a sandy background, but reduced by approximately 20%. This pattern is in general service with the Army and Spanish Legion.

Ever the slightly independent branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, in the late 1990s the Marines of the Spanish Navy discarded the standard leaf pattern uniform in favor of one based on the USA m81 woodland drawings. This remains the standard camouflage pattern of this service.

In 2002 the basic design of the standard Armed Forces "leaf" pattern changed to a slightly darker and more olive colorway. This was adopted by the entire Armed Forces as the standard pattern and remains thus, except for the Spanish Marines.

The Marines of the Spanish Navy adopted their own desert camouflage pattern in 2003. The design is a four-color pattern of russet, beige, and sand-colored shapes on a tan background. It has since also been adopted by paratroops of the Spanish Air Force (EZPAC).