Beijing, July 4:

In contrast to the eye-catching uniforms recently unveiled by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, a new line of military wear has been designed to make its users less visible.

Labeled ‘digital camouflage’, the new training fatigues sport computer-generated camouflage patterns, which, the creators say, are designed to simulate natural environments.

“The camouflage pattern resembles a big bunch of flowers from a distance and crushed gravel close up,” said Zhang Xudong, senior engineer with the Quartermaster Equipment Institute (QEI). The previous camouflage patterns worn by the PLA training outfits were hand-painted, accentuating the sharp contrast between different colours.

“With the application of pixel-matrix technology, the camouflage functions better as it blurs the divide between different colours,” Zhang said, adding a special dye was used to maximize the effect.” The digital camouflage pattern can escape the naked eye and counter-reconnaissance in low light and certain wave bands of infrared.”

Upon the completion of the PLA’s largest ever uniform upgrade in 2009, four different camouflage sche-mes for urban, woodland, desert and ocean environments will be employed. Camouflage schemes for woodland can blend into urban environment. To ease the constraint of the previous fatigues made up of co-ats and pants, designers lo-osened the hemline of the coats. Rank insignias were moved from shoulders to collars.