Norway Changes Military Uniform: M23 NCU Enters Service

The Norwegian Armed Forces are continuing the phased transition to the new M23 NCU (Nordic Combat Uniform) layered combat clothing system, developed jointly with Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.

Service members stationed in northern Norway were the first to receive the new uniforms in January 2025, according to NRK and the Norwegian Armed Forces. The rollout began at the Garrison of Sør-Varanger in Finnmark, near the border with Russia.

M23 is not a standalone field uniform but a complete clothing system built around a “layer-by-layer” concept, with all components designed to be used together depending on the weather and mission conditions. Similar systems are used by the U.S. Army (ECWCS — Extended Cold Weather Clothing System) and the British Army (PCS — Personal Clothing System).

The first deliveries to the Norwegian Armed Forces included nearly 700,000 items of equipment across 28 types. The system includes undergarments, insulating layers, combat uniforms, waterproof and windproof clothing, and a winter camouflage set.

One key difference from the previous gear is the availability of around 30 size options. Sizing accounts for not only height but also body measurements, including chest circumference.

This is intended to allow uniforms to fit service members with different body types more precisely. Most NCU items are unisex, while some undergarments are available in separate versions for men and women.

The new combat jackets and trousers are made of flame-resistant fabric. The trousers feature integrated and additional removable knee pads, an adjustable fit system, and a mechanism for securing them to footwear to prevent snow from getting inside.

The jackets feature an adjustable hood that can be worn over a combat helmet, ventilation pockets, and MOLLE attachment points for additional equipment.

The system’s outer layers provide protection against wind and precipitation, while two levels of insulated jackets and trousers are available for cold weather. The winter uniform features a dedicated camouflage pattern with gray elements designed to account for shadows and patches of exposed ground in snow-covered terrain.

The Norwegian camouflage pattern for the M23 was developed and tested by the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI). At the same time, all four countries share the NCU design, while each military uses its own national camouflage pattern.

Before adopting the system, the program tested various uniform versions with around 400 service members from the participating countries.

Joint Procurement by Four Countries

The Nordic Combat Uniform program is being implemented by Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland as part of the NORDEFCO defense cooperation framework.

In February 2022, the four countries signed a seven-year framework agreement worth up to €425 million with Norwegian company Oskar Pedersen AS. It was the first joint procurement of its kind under NORDEFCO.

Several companies are involved in production. Siamidis manufactures combat clothing and some protective layers; W. L. Gore & Associates provides materials and technological solutions; and Aclima and Woolpower produce wool-based undergarments.

The NCU program does not include helmets, gloves, combat footwear, or personal protective equipment, which each country procures separately.

Norway is introducing the M23 in phases, moving from northern garrisons to other Armed Forces units. Older uniforms are not withdrawn all at once; they continue to be used and repaired until the end of their service life.

As of May 2026, the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell) stated that deliveries under the NCU program were ongoing.