SADF Khakis/Nutria

The South African Defence Force (SADF), unique among Cold War militaries, sported distinctive Nutria Brown uniforms. Initially clad in older British patterned uniforms, South Africa would transition out of older khakis into the unique earth tone colors of Nutria Brown in 1971. Surprisingly effective in the dark bush of Southern Africa, Nutria Brown garments saw widespread adoption, from the regular national serviceman, to the most elite special forces operators. In all elements of South Africa's armed forces, Nutria Brown represented the distinctive look of South Africa' Border War. Without a standardized camouflage pattern for members of the SADF during the course of the war, Nutria Brown was used for uniforms, jumpsuits, headdress, and even webbing. Ultimately, camo won out, as evidenced by testing conducted by the SADF in the early 1990s as they fielded preliminary examples of what would become the Soldier 2000 pattern.