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 the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.[4]
| Xingkong | |
|---|---|
 A PLAGF SF wearing Type 19 uniform with Xingkong jungle pattern during a special operations demonstration | |
| Type | Military camouflage pattern |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2019 |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Jiangsu Casdilly Dress[1] |
| Designed | 2016[2] |
| Produced | 2016-present |
The Xingkong camouflage is deployed with Type 19 and Type 21 uniform series.[5]
History
editDesign
editThe 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 vegetation 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] The complementary tactical vest features improved structural and material design, offering better mobility, practicality, fire-resistance, and protection.[8]
Color customization for the uniform accessories is achieved with the new design. Urban, woodland, and jungle camouflage is fitted with black-colored gloves and boots, while desert and tundra have colored ones.[9] Various camouflaged pouches and devices can be attached to the tactical vest.[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.[10]
Fielding
editAccording 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
editFive variants of pattern for Xingkong camouflage is available.[4]
Gallery
edit-
Chinese Minister of National Defence Wei Fenghe in Type 19 office uniform (right) -
Russian and Chinese officers at Sibu/Interaction-2021 military exercises. From left to right: Russian office uniform with EMR camouflage, Type 19 office uniform with Xingkong camouflage, Type 07 camouflage uniform
References
edit- ^ "Unveil New Military Uniform Made In Jiangsu". The Paper (in Chinese).
- ^ "Xingkong uniform, made in Jiangsu".
- ^ ""Xing Kong" camouflage lights up military parade" (in Chinese).
- ^ a b c "Reviewing China's National Day Parade". The Diplomat.
- ^ "Type-21 combat uniforms distributed to Chinese military". Chinese Ministry of Defense.
- ^ a b c d "China: features of PLA latest combat camouflage uniforms".
- ^ Chen Zhuo (5 November 2019). "Features of PLA's latest combat camouflage uniforms". China Military.
- ^ a b "New tactical vests distributed to troops on plateau". China Military. 4 November 2021.
- ^ "The new uniform is named Xingkong". Sohu.
- ^ "D&S 2019: China unveils new 5.8mm assault rifle".
- ^ ""星空"迷彩各系列版型汇总". NetEase News. 8 February 2021.
- ^ "Support: New Chinese Camo Designed By The Troops". StrategyPage.