A sharp-looking crack commando parades new Royal Marines gear designed to make troops even more effective in the field.
It comes amid the biggest shake-up of our elite force since the Second World War, aimed at creating a “much more lethal” spearhead.
Under the Future Commando Force programme, the troops will integrate more closely with the Royal Navy to form high-readiness coastal attack units.
They will blitz enemy lines to carve out a path for main forces or form raiding parties on counter-terror missions.
They will also disperse to operate over a greater area to avoid being large targets.
And they have been given the kit needed to face modern challenges in the form of a uniform that is light, tough and quick-drying.
The design also underlines the unit being part of the Navy, carrying the Royal Navy White Ensign, while recognising commando heroics in the Second World War with the traditional commando dagger patch.
The NATO-procured uniform is 17% lighter, has three times higher tear-strength and is 60% faster-drying and four times more breathable than the previous uniform.
Major General Matt Holmes, Commandant General of the Royal Marines, said the troops wearing the kit will be at the forefront of any future theatre of war.
He said: “We see ourselves as in the first wave and a global deployable force at a very high readiness. The way we will operate in future is threat-driven but it plays well to go back to our commando roots.
“The concept is littoral (coastal) strike, based on us exploiting the maritime environment. That’s why we are increasingly integrating with the Royal Navy.
“Rather than being at high readiness in barracks, we want to be forward-deployed and persistently engaged. By doing so in regions of the world, we will have a better understanding of the regions.
“We can work upstream of threats and prevent crisis. But if needed to perform rapidly, we’re ready. We will be capable of maritime special operations and have an array of tools in our armoury that present dilemmas for the adversary.”
