In the late 1970s, Singapore began developing a new web equipment system to replace its earlier cotton-based sets with more modern materials. This system was designed not only to carry the standard water bottle but also to accommodate a Mills-type water filter bank and water sterilization tablets, reflecting the growing emphasis on field hygiene and modular utility.
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When U.S. M-1945 field packs ran short, the Republic of Korea developed its own version, modeled on the American design but adapted to local requirements.
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The Jäger Rucksack was first introduced by the Bundeswehr in the early 1960s as a more compact alternative to the large rucksack. Unlike its predecessor, it could be worn independently of the web suspenders and frame, reducing bulk while still offering enough capacity for extended periods in the field.
In the early 1990s, the New Zealand Defence Force began producing the large ALICE pack in temperate DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material) as a replacement for the earlier green version. Aside from the camouflage fabric, the overall design remained consistent with previous iterations.
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The Hat, Utility, Camouflage, Waterproof was first issued in the mid-1960s, alongside a waterproof smock made in the same camouflage pattern. Designed for use in humid jungle environments, the hat was issued in more limited numbers than the smock.
Secateurs—a hand tool more commonly found in the garden shed and often wielded by old ladies trimming rose bushes—are not something most people associate with soldiers. Yet, these heavy-duty shears, designed for cutting and pruning bushes and small trees, found their way into the kit of Australian and New Zealand troops operating in dense jungle environments.
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In early 1942, Australia recognized the need to redesign the 1937 Pattern web equipment based on combat experience in the Pacific against Japanese forces. The standard Basic Pouches were found to be too small to carry sufficient amounts of ammunition and munitions for the challenging conditions of jungle warfare.
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The Hat, Combat, DPM Desert was first introduced in the late 1980s, featuring a four-color Desert DPM (DDPM) pattern and a design similar to the Hat, Combat, Tropical. However, it saw limited use by UK forces at the time.
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In 1970, Malaysia adopted a brushstroke camouflage pattern for its military uniforms and equipment. This decision led to the exclusive production of field packs in this distinct design. Naturally, commercial manufacturers followed suit, producing webbing and accessories in the same pattern to meet market demands.
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With New Zealand severing ties with the United States and Australia over its decision to become nuclear-free in the mid-1980s, it faced challenges in sourcing individual equipment to replace stock that was needed but no longer accessible through usual channels.
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