K20 (camouflage)

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K20
K20 standard-issued camouflage for the Vietnamese Ground Forces and Special Forces
TypeMilitary camouflage pattern
Place of originVietnam
Service history
In service2019
Used byPeople's Army of Vietnam
Production history
DesignerX20 Factory
ManufacturerX20 Factory
Produced2020-present
VariantsSee Variants

The K20 (abbreviation for Kiểu 20, 'Type 20'; largely referring the year of 2020) is the standard camouflage pattern adopted by the Vietnam People’s Army. It was introduced to replace the previously widely used K17 and K07 patterns. The new camouflage was tested by the International Army Games 2019 team and officially put into service in 2020.[1]

History

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Design

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A Vietnam People’s Army soldier in K20 uniform

The K20 combat uniform is issued in five base colors, each tailored to the operational environment of one of the Vietnam People’s Army’s branches.[2][1] Constructed from a durable, water-resistant gabardine. Reinforced stitching at key stress points and low-profile tailoring ensure compatibility with body armor, tactical equipment, and modular accessories without restricting the soldier’s range of motion.

The trousers feature fastening loops at the hem and an integrated waist belt to provide a snug, secure fit that prevents snagging on vegetation or gear during rapid maneuvers. Sleeves are equipped with buttoned cuffs for a locked-in fit, while the collar includes metal insignia holders that display branch and rank badges clearly. Eight strategically placed pockets—two on the thighs, two on the hips, and four on the front of the jacket—enable soldiers to carry essential items such as maps, ammunition, and communication devices within easy reach. Additionally, a waist belt ensures the uniform fits to the body. Accessories include branch insignia, name tapes, and rank badges.[1]

The uniform’s digital camouflage pattern features a micro-pixel layout based on ERDL pattern with color schemes drawn directly from Vietnam’s natural landscapes. This advanced patterning provides enhanced concealment at varying engagement ranges, breaking up the wearer’s silhouette against diverse backdrops. Dots and star-shaped pixels are finer than previous Type 07 digitals, further improving stealth capabilities.[1]

Vietnamese personnel with K20 uniforms during the 2024 Vietnam Defence Expo.

Fielding

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The K20 pattern will be the standard across equipment such as combat helmet, tactical vests, kepi caps, load-bearing jackets, and military boots.[1][3][4]

Variants

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Combat uniforms of the Vietnamese Army with their corresponding color schemes: Ground Force (combined arms), Air Defence - Air Force, Navy, Border Guard and Coast Guard.

Five variants of pattern for K20 camouflage is available for five branches of the army.

Ground Force
Brown and jungle green colored digital camouflage.[2]
Air Force
Olive and light blue colored digital camouflage.[5]
Navy
Brown and dark blue colored digital camouflage. [2]
Border Guard
Dark grey and jungle green digital camouflage.[6]
Coast Guard
Dark grey and dark blue colored digital camouflage.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Việt Nam chính thức lựa chọn trang bị quân phục dã chiến K20 mới". Kiến Thức (in Vietnamese). Báo Kiến Thức. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  2. ^ a b c Nguyễn Quang Du (2022-05-03). "Quân Phục Dã Chiến K20 Quân Đội Nhân Dân Việt Nam". Đồng Phục Hải Anh (in Vietnamese). Đồng Phục Hải Anh. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  3. ^ "200 thiết bị quân sự Việt Nam sản xuất được giới thiệu ở Army Games". VnExpress (in Vietnamese). VnExpress. 2021-09-02. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  4. ^ "Sản phẩm nâng cao tính linh hoạt cho bộ đội trong tác chiến". Báo Quân đội Nhân dân (in Vietnamese). Báo Quân đội Nhân dân. 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  5. ^ "Quân chủng Phòng không – Không quân chuẩn bị tổ chức diễn tập chiến thuật có bắn đạn thật". Báo Quân đội Nhân dân (in Vietnamese). Báo Quân đội Nhân dân. 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  6. ^ "Cán bộ trong lực lượng Bộ đội Biên phòng tăng cường các xã, thị trấn biên giới: Tham gia xây dựng 1.190 tổ chức đảng". Báo Quân đội Nhân dân (in Vietnamese). Báo Quân đội Nhân dân. 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  7. ^ "Cảnh sát biển Việt Nam tuần tra liên hợp với Cảnh sát biển Trung Quốc". Báo và Đài Phát thanh - Truyền hình Ninh Bình (in Vietnamese). NBTV. 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2025-05-07.