New equipment for Switzerland: Modular clothing and equipment system (MBAS)

Everyone wants to evolve, the Swiss are no exception. But they are fast. In 2016, the "Further Development of the Army" was decided as a program. It has been implemented since January 1, 2018. From 2022, the new "Modular Clothing and Equipment System (MBAS)" will replace the previous "Combat Clothing 90/06" - we already presented MBAS last year on SPARTANAT HERE and HERE.

However, there is now the new "2018 Army Dispatch." It doesn't involve a message building, and it's actually not a message from the army, as the funny Swiss name might suggest, but it is the Federal Council's request for approval of the corresponding budget for arms projects. A significant part of this is the "Modular Clothing and Equipment System (MBAS)." And the Swiss spare no expense: 377 million Swiss francs are to be approved for MBAS. This is the equipment for 100,000 army personnel. 3,000 francs are spent per man, with the ballistic protective plates accounting for half of the costs.

What can still be seen in neutral colors in the images shown here will eventually come in this camouflage pattern.

We document here the section of the 2018 Army Dispatch on the topic of MBAS. Plus, we have the latest pictures of the new Swiss equipment.

2018 Army Dispatch (Excerpt)

Modular Clothing and Equipment Situation and Need for Action

The combat clothing 90/06 currently in use with the corresponding basic carrying unit was introduced in the army in the 1990s and has characterized the image of army personnel for over twenty-five years. The materials used correspond to the technological state at that time (e.g., concerning breathability and weather protection). To address the changes in operational, technological, and logistical requirements, the introduction of new clothing and equipment is essential. Furthermore, the use and warranty period of the protective vest 96 are expiring.

It remains with the layering approach: MBAS also works with various layers and is not intended to replace everything. What's good will remain.

Until the introduction of the new modular clothing and equipment planned for 2022, army personnel will continue to be equipped with the current combat clothing 90/06. This will be provided both as part of personal equipment and as part of basic equipment (corps material) in schools, during refresher courses, and during operations. To meet the needs of the coming years, follow-up procurements are necessary for the current combat clothing, which are requested through the AEB credit. It is not intended to liquidate these clothing and equipment items immediately after the introduction of the new clothing and equipment. Instead, components of the combat clothing 90/06 are intended to be temporarily reused even after the introduction of the new modular clothing and equipment.

In addition to the necessary follow-up procurements of the current combat clothing 90/06, this Army Dispatch also requests a follow-up procurement of protective plates for the protective vest 96 (see paragraph 2.7). This is necessary because a significant number of the existing protective vests do not have protective plates, which compromises the protection of army personnel in rugged operations. The protective plates procured to close equipment gaps will be reused in the ballistic body protection of the new clothing and equipment.

New core elements: Modular plate carrier, hydration systems, modern backpack, and corresponding textiles.

Description of the Proposed Variant and Justification

The proposed clothing and equipment are intended to support army personnel in fulfilling their tasks and have high modularity of all components, which is why they are referred to as the "Modular Clothing and Equipment System" (MBAS). The procurement includes the following components:

• - Combat clothing: camouflage suit, wind, rain, and cold protection;
• - Carrying systems: carrying devices, backpacks, and sets of bags;
• - Ballistic body protection in two versions: one version with reduced protection area for combat operations with high physical stress and to ensure mobility, and a second version with a collar and lower body protection with maximum protection area for guard duties with normal physical stress;
• - Hydration system: water bags, drinking hoses, and various adapters for PET bottles. The proven "layering principle" of combat clothing 90/06 is to be maintained with the proposed procurement. This means that army personnel should still be able to adjust their clothing to the temperature and weather conditions. The individual bags can be mounted and worn according to the specific use (either on a carrying device, a backpack, a plate carrier, or a protective vest). The new clothing and equipment is better in terms of ergonomics and thermophysiology than the current one, resulting in improved performance. It is reduced in volume and weight and is modularly designed. Thanks to the modular components like bags and protective plates, clothing and equipment can be tailored to the specific needs of use. Where appropriate, the goal is for existing or upcoming equipment items to be integrated into the new modular clothing and equipment.

The Swiss rely on MOLLE: War Belt and plate carrier can now be individually equipped.

The new clothing and equipment was extensively tested in a troop trial with around 350 army personnel from a total of 13 training units and competence centers, and the practical suitability was assessed. All components were tested in plain colors. With the introduction, a new camouflage pattern will be used for a large part of the components.

With the requested commitment credit, 100,000 army personnel can be equipped. The new clothing and equipment will cost around 3,000 francs per person, with approximately half allocated to ballistic body protection.

The plate carrier system with Chest Rig and bags. A very versatile solution in a modular setup.

The new clothing and equipment will be issued to the troops in schools and courses and during operations as corps material. A circulation reserve will be set aside for logistics. The procurement will be publicly tendered in 2020. The new clothing and equipment is expected to be introduced in 2022. It should be usable for at least 25 years.

Other verified variants

As an alternative to replacement, an extension of the existing clothing and equipment was evaluated. However, this solution was rejected after careful consideration. One significant reason is that the current, nearly thirty-year-old clothing and equipment could not be adapted to today's needs regarding ergonomics and weather protection through a mere extension of the usage period. Another reason is that there is a need for a successor system after the expiry of the use and warranty period of the protective vest 96. Like with weapon systems, progress has been made in terms of functionality and quality concerning clothing and equipment since the early 1990s. Additionally, large quantities of the introduced clothing and equipment are procured annually due to new equipment and refitting needs. Therefore, extending the usage period does not result in savings.

This is what the individualized setup can look like. We can see how closely the Swiss have looked. The Swiss Army has incorporated international suggestions from various manufacturers into a proprietary design.

Also, it was considered to request the modular clothing and equipment with a later armament program. This was waived because, on the one hand, the WEA demanded complete equipment. The individual protection of army personnel is a high priority in this regard. On the other hand, the evaluation of the new modular clothing and equipment is well advanced.

Risk Assessment

The individual components of the new clothing and equipment are based on solutions that correspond to the current technical level of market-standard products. To mitigate risks, tests were conducted. These focused particularly on the necessary adjustments to the accompanying items of army personnel, modularity, combinability of subsystems and their components, and logistics processes.

The intellectual property of the subsystems belongs to armasuisse. With public tenders, procurement can be done independently of suppliers and with high supply security.

ARMASUISSE on the Internet: www.ar.admin.ch

This is how it looks in the Swiss forest. Still in testing, without camouflage pattern.