Well, according to this article in The Maple Leaf (which may or may not be up-to-date); "... The Army has targeted Roto IX to Bosnia in the summer of 2001 as the first Battle Group to wear CADPAT on operations. The new clothing will be distributed to the Army on the basis of operational need ... and it will take two to three years to convert the entire Army to the new combats ...".
Army goes CADPAT in 2000
By Paul Mooney
Soldiers can now look forward to wearing one of the most scientifically advanced camouflage patterns in the world. The Army will take delivery of the new Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) clothing as early as late fall or early spring next year.
Researchers began development of the new pattern in 1988 using digital imagery computer technology. The Army conducted field tests in 1997, with soldiers in specific distance ranges and in various backgrounds in order to select the most effective pattern and colour combination.
The result is considered a major step forward in battlefield survivability enhancement. Major Doug Palmer is Project Director for the Army‘s Clothe The Soldier project. "This is science, not a fashion statement," he noted. "CADPAT is the result of a scientific investigation for its effectiveness, hence the length of time devoted to the work to ensure an effective result. When compared to the current monotone green combat uniform, it provides advantages in reduced probability of detection and the requirement to get much closer in terms of detection ranges."
Maj Palmer noted that the pattern is optimized for the 50 to 300-metre range. Once senior officers were satisfied that CADPAT would enhance soldiers‘ safety in the field, the pattern and colours were given to Canadian industry to put on specific textiles combinations used by the Army. "The technical challenge here was significant because each synthetic and natural fibre absorbed ink differently," Maj Palmer explained. "In the case of our combat uniform, this was further complicated because of the 50/50 mixture of cotton and nylon." A washability and wearability troop trial was completed in November last year and demonstrated that industry had met the challenge.
The Army has targeted Roto IX to Bosnia in the summer of 2001 as the first Battle Group to wear CADPAT on operations. The new clothing will be distributed to the Army on the basis of operational need, Maj Palmer stressed, and it will take two to three years to convert the entire Army to the new combats.
A requisition for 36 000 uniform sets has been sent to Public Works and Government Services Canada along with an additional option quantity of another 36 000. Major Palmer noted that the CADPAT combats will be phased in gradually as the monotone green combats are phased out. The Army buys 72 000 to 75 000 combat shirts and pants annually.
Maj Palmer expects a CANLANGEN will be issued in the next few weeks providing complete details on this leading-edge breakthrough by the Army.