Defence
Media Release

Air Force launches General Purpose Uniform

The new Royal Australian Air Force General Purpose Uniform (GPU) was launched today at the Centenary of Military Aviation Airshow at RAAF Williams – Point Cook.

The dark blue and metal grey uniform was officially launched by Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, AO, who said Point Cook, the historical birthplace of the RAAF, was a fitting location to launch the GPU .

“The purpose of the GPU is to provide a unique and easily identifiable Air Force presence to the Australian Defence and civilian communities, consistent with the Air Force’s distinctive identity and still effective in meeting our service requirements,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

“The new uniform will begin, from today, to replace the current camouflage uniform, also worn by Army, for general base duties and in non-warlike environments such as humanitarian tasks and Defence assistance to the civil community.”

Introduction of the Air Force GPU will be cost neutral over the long term due to uniform production changes, depletion of existing stocks and reforms to standard equipment issue. The new Air Force GPU is less expensive than the current Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) issued to Air Force personnel as it does not have the same camouflage requirements for warlike conditions.

Existing Air Force DPCU production will be reduced and replaced by production of the GPU. It is planned that all Air Force personnel will be issued with a mix of camouflage uniforms and GPUs by the end of 2015.

Images of the GPU launch will be available at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20140377
Further information is available at http://www.airforce.gov.au/gpu

Media contact:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999
Regional Manager Victoria, Public Affairs, Kate Kennedy 0477 706 009

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Q & A

Why a blue camouflage pattern for Air Force

The GPU is to be worn for general purposes only and is not intended for camouflage. The blue and grey colours selected for GPU reflect Air Force colours. These colours are seen daily in our Service Dress uniforms, our Ensign, and in the airframes and airfields we use every day. It will provide Air Force with an appropriate work uniform which distinctly identifies Air Force members.

Why has the particular pattern been chosen?

The pattern and colour combination were carefully selected from a number of options. The pattern is an Air Force specific version of the Australian MultiCam Pattern (AMP) already in-use in Afghanistan. The colours chosen for the GPU represent the same colours we work with every day: our SD uniform, our Ensign, and the airframes and airfields. GPU provides a unique identity that will stand Air Force personnel apart from Army and Navy, while maintaining Air Force’s identity as part of the Australian Defence Force.

What are the costs associated with the GPU?

Introduction of the Air Force GPU will be cost neutral over the long term, due to uniform production changes, depletion of existing stocks, and reforms to standard equipment issue. Existing Air Force Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) production will be reduced and replaced by production of the GPU.

Will GPU be worn as our dress of the day?

The GPU will replace DPCU as ‘dress of the day’ for general base duties and in non-warlike operational environments, such as humanitarian assistance operations. The exception to this will be where other types of specialist working dress are provided for specific musterings or categories such as aircrew, cooks and Ground Defence personnel.

Service Dress remains the most appropriate form of dress in a number of circumstances, including all representational and ceremonial activities. Service Dress will continue to be the ‘dress of the day’ in Air Force Headquarters.

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