Collection: Dutch camouflage

Dutch Camouflage and NFP Surplus

Dutch camouflage evolved from simple Cold War-era prints into a highly effective, nationally designed system. The shift culminated in the Netherlands Fractal Pattern (NFP), which has become the country’s main camo since the mid-2010s.

Early Dutch Camouflage

In the decades following World War II, Dutch forces used standard DPM-like woodland and jungle camouflages, inherited from UK and US influences. One notable early design was the “jigsaw” camo used during the UN mission in Lebanon (1979–85), which featured green, brown, black, and ochre tones on rain gear issued to Dutch UNIFIL troops.

Dutch Jungle Camo Surplus

Long before the introduction of NFP, the Dutch military used a unique jungle camouflage, especially in operations and training in tropical climates like Suriname during the late 20th century. This Dutch jungle pattern featured irregular organic shapes in a mixture of deep greens, browns, and black, designed to mimic dense foliage and shadows. It was used on combat shirts, trousers, and jungle hats, made of breathable and durable fabric suitable for humid environments. I haven’t seen that many people talking about this pattern, but I think it’s pretty unique and cool.

Buy NFP Surplus and Camouflage

Developed by the Dutch Defence and TNO starting in 2008, NFP entered service around 2014 and has become standard issue since 2019. It’s a fractal, flecktarn-style pattern created using real-world terrain photography. It avoids square pixels, creating irregular shapes in layered color fields designed for natural concealment.

NFP Green was the first variant rolled out, featuring eight colors—light to dark greens, russet and grey-browns—best suited for woodland and urban settings. The initial order was for 13,500 uniform sets distributed to units like the 414 Tank Battalion in 2019. Full adoption across the Dutch Army, Marines, Air Force, and military police followed from 2020 onward; deliveries have since hit more than half a million sets.

Dutch NFP Navy for Sale

First issued around 2020, the Navy version of NFP adapts the same fractal base layout but shifts the color palette to dark blue, grey-blue, and charcoal tones. It was made specifically for use aboard ships and in coastal environments. The uniform items themselves are well-made, with modern cuts and practical features like zip-up fronts, Velcro sleeve pockets, and name tapes. Many shirts have “Koninklijke Marine” (Royal Navy) printed across the back in bold white lettering, while the Dutch flag patch is usually found on the shoulder.

It’s also a favorite among collectors, myself included. NFP-Navy isn’t always easy to find on the surplus market, but I’ve managed to get my hands on a few original pieces. I currently have some NFP Navy pants for sale right here, in excellent condition and various sizes. Take your chance and grab them while you can.

NFP Multitone Gear

This is the last official variation of the NFP system, but unfortunately it was never made into a full uniform. NFP-Multitone was designed mainly for gear such as packs, vests, helmet covers, and other modular equipment. It uses fewer colors than the Green or Tan versions but keeps the same fractal pattern. The idea was to create a neutral camo that could blend reasonably well with both woodland and desert setups, giving units more flexibility without needing entirely separate gear for every environment.