The Bundesheer camouflage pattern, often referred to as Austro-Tarn, is the official camouflage system of the Austrian Armed Forces. It was developed to effectively conceal soldiers across Austria's diverse landscapes – ranging from high alpine regions to dense forests and lowlands.
Austro-Tarn is now an integral part of the uniforms of all Bundesheer units and is considered a versatile and functional camouflage system. Austro-Tarn is used both in training and real operations and forms part of soldiers' everyday equipment.
History of Austro-Tarn
Austro-Tarn was introduced only in the 21st century as a modern camouflage pattern for the Austrian Bundesheer, replacing older, less flexible uniforms. The official presentation of the “New Camouflage Suit” took place in September 2017 during a press conference, with gradual issuance to troops from 2019/2020.
Previously, the Austrian military used various camouflage patterns primarily designed for forested or mountainous regions, such as the so-called “pea camouflage” variants from the 1950s to the 1970s. These older patterns were later replaced by solid-colored uniforms before modern Austro-Tarn was developed.
Structure and Features of Austro-Tarn
Austro-Tarn combines organic color areas with clear contours to obscure the wearer's silhouette at medium and long distances.
Typical features include:
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Natural green tones, brown, and sand accents
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Harmonious transitions between colors
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Optimized for alpine, forested, and flat landscapes
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High recognizability within units, but good camouflage in terrain
The pattern is robust, fade-resistant, and can be used on all types of Bundesheer uniforms, from combat suits to specialized outdoor and field jackets.
Technical Details of Austro-Tarn
According to the Austrian Ministry of Defense, the Austro-Tarn pattern consists of six colors arranged in small and large patches. This design was specifically developed to obscure soldiers' silhouettes in various terrains. Additionally, the colors are calibrated so that their infrared reflectance values reduce visibility against optoelectronic devices such as night vision equipment.
The large-area camouflage print is suitable for a wide range of operational environments – from forested terrain to urban settings – and also serves as a recognizable national camouflage pattern of the Bundesheer.
Austro-Tarn – International Comparison
Austro-Tarn is considered one of the most efficient European camouflage patterns, as it meets the requirements of diverse terrain types – from alpine regions and dense forests to open areas. In comparison:
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Germany (Flecktarn): heavily focused on forested and Central European vegetation, less optimized for alpine or open areas.
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Sweden (M90): cubist pattern, particularly effective in Scandinavian forests and lowlands, less flexible for mountainous terrain.
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France (CCE): European woodland pattern, designed for temperate forests, less variable in other landscapes.
Thanks to this versatility, Austro-Tarn can be considered a universally applicable pattern that optimally meets the specific requirements of Austrian topography while ensuring recognizability within units.
Austro-Tarn in Brief
The Austro-Tarn pattern is a versatile and functional camouflage system specifically adapted to Austria's diverse landscapes. It combines a thoughtful color composition with robust, weather-resistant material, providing both visual and electronic concealment.
Its wide applicability – from alpine regions to forests and open areas – makes it the standard pattern for all Bundesheer units. Austro-Tarn demonstrates how targeted design and technical know-how work together to effectively support troops in the field.
For more information about digital and classic camouflage patterns and their targeted use, see our blog post “Using Camouflage Patterns Strategically”.
Questions about Austro-Tarn
