Nordic combat uniforms fail Finnish industrial laundry tests

The Nordic Combat Uniform (NCU) used by Finland, Norway, and Sweden cannot withstand Finland’s centralized maintenance system, according to the Finnish Defence Forces’ logistics agency.

By June 2026, Finland had spent approximately €25.7 million on the uniforms, which have shown insufficient durability in industrial washing. The agency reports that the garments are often not cost-effective to repair, and their operational wear resistance is weaker than that of previous models.

Issues with fabric, zippers, stitching, and breathability have been identified. The problems have been reported to the Norwegian manufacturer, Oskar Pedersen.

The NCU has been in trial use since 2024 in Finland’s Jaeger Brigade, Lapland Air Command, and Lapland Border Jaeger Company. Decisions on continued use will be made in autumn 2026, with no significant additional purchases currently planned.

Finland operates two centralized clothing repair facilities, in Mikkeli and Säkylä, processing over 3.75 million kilograms of material annually. The system handles uniforms for conscripts, reservists, and refresher training, with volumes increasing since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Textile maintenance staff note that modern military garments, with more zippers, buttons, and pockets, are less durable than older designs. Finland’s repair practices are unusually extensive, with most items inspected and mended by hand, sometimes multiple times, before potential reuse in training.