Xingkong (camouflage)

Xingkong (Chinese: 星空; lit. 'Starry sky'),[3] is a military camouflage pattern adopted in 2019 by all branches of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Introduced in 2019, the Xingkong pattern replaced the Type 07 camouflage on the Type 07 service uniforms used by regular units. The new uniform and Xingkong camouflage were first seen in late September 2019 before the celebration ceremony for 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.[4] The desgination of Xingkong camouflage is Type 19.[5]

Xingkong
TypeMilitary camouflage pattern
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2019
Used byPeople's Liberation Army
Production history
DesignerJiangsu Casdilly Dress[1]
Designed2016[2]
Produced2016-present

History

Design

The new uniform is available with five different camouflage patterns and colors are no longer service-based.[6] The uniform design incorporates fastening hoop for wrist, elbow, ankle and knee, which prevents a soldier wearing the uniform being affected by branches or terrain during travel. The uniform also features internal slots for elbow and knee pads. The pocket on the uniform is designed to open sideways, making it convenient to use after equipping tactical vest.[4][7]

Customization for accessories is achieved with the new design. Urban, woodland and jungle camouflage is fitted with black-colored gloves and boots, while desert and tundra has sand colored ones.[8]

The new pattern offers better concealment in variable distances comparing to traditional digital camouflage, due to the utilizing of unrecognizable tiny digital grids.[6] It has dots or stars in the fabric that are smaller than that of Type 07 digital camouflage.[9]

Fielding

According to Senior Colonel Wu Qian, Director General of the Information Office of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, the camo's distribution to the entire PLA is going as scheduled in an October 31, 2019 announcement.[6]

The Xingkong is expected to be distributed with helmets, tactical gloves, combat vests and military boots.[6]

Variants

Five variants of pattern for Xingkong camouflage is available.[4]

Woodland
Dark green colored digital camouflage.
Jungle
Jungle green colored digital camouflage.
Desert
Light sand colored digital camouflage.
Arid
Dark sand colored digital camouflage.
Urban
Dark grey colored digital camouflage.

See also

References
  1. "Unveil New Military Uniform Made In Jiangsu". The Paper (in Chinese).
  2. "Xingkong uniform, made in Jiangsu".
  3. ""Xing Kong" camouflage lights up military parade" (in Chinese).
  4. "Reviewing China's National Day Parade". The Diplomat.
  5. ""星空迷彩"有正式名称了，叫19式通用作战服". baijiahao.baidu.com.
  6. "China: features of PLA latest combat camouflage uniforms".
  7. Chen Zhuo (5 November 2019). "Features of PLA's latest combat camouflage uniforms". China Military.
  8. "The new uniform is named Xingkong".
  9. "D&S 2019: China unveils new 5.8mm assault rifle".
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