Camouflage pattern Vegetato

Vegetato, officially known as mimetico Vegetata, is the current standard camouflage pattern of the Italian Army. Introduced in 2004, it features a distinctive set of irregular multicolored patches—typically chocolate brown, deep reddish-brown, and olive green—on a khaki background. The pattern is designed for effective concealment in temperate and woodland environments.

Historical Background

Italy has one of the longest-standing traditions of printed camouflage in military use. As early as World War I, Italian forces were among the first to produce and issue camouflage patterns on a significant scale. During World War II, the M1929 Telo Mimetico became the world’s first mass-produced military camouflage, initially issued to paratroopers and Alpine troops (Alpini). Its popularity led to prolonged use, even by German forces toward the end of the war.

In the post-war years, the M29 pattern underwent multiple modifications and was issued to various branches including the Italian Navy and Marine units. During the Cold War era, Italian forces often wore plain olive drab uniforms, although specialized units continued to experiment with camouflage for specific operational environments.

The Birth of Vegetato

By the late 1990s, the Italian military began developing a new family of camouflage patterns tailored to modern operational needs. This included a standard woodland version as well as desert variants for deployment in arid regions. In 2004, the Italian Army officially adopted Vegetato as its standard pattern, replacing most legacy camouflage schemes.

The first units to wear early versions of Vegetato were paratroopers and special forces, followed by widespread adoption across army units and support services. Marines retained their own distinct patterns, but the Vegetato became the dominant camouflage across the regular military.

Design and Variants

Vegetato’s multicolored blotches are applied in an airbrush-style pattern, providing effective concealment in Mediterranean and European woodland settings. Its design draws inspiration from earlier Italian camouflage patterns, particularly the M29. Over time, several sub-variants of Vegetato have emerged, influenced by fabric quality and individual textile manufacturers. These include adaptations for mountain, desert, and maritime environments, used by specialized units like the Navy Special Forces (COMSUBIN).

Despite regional production differences, all Vegetato variants maintain the same core philosophy: blending into natural surroundings while meeting the mobility and durability needs of modern infantry.