Poland unveils K-03 Ryś military camouflage to replace 33-year-old Pantera uniform

New field uniform unveiled in Ciechanów

The Polish Ministry of National Defence presented a new field uniform and camouflage pattern on 5 October 2026 at the headquarters of the 1st Legions Infantry Division in Ciechanów. Designated under the code K-03 and named Ryś, the pattern replaces the wzór 93 Pantera design that had been in active service for 33 years. The project was developed over more than a dozen months in collaboration with soldiers, incorporating operational experience from Polish Special Forces combat deployments and foreign missions. The updated design includes separate cuts tailored specifically for male and female soldiers, providing tailored cuts for female soldiers for the first time.

Technical features of the K-03 Ryś pattern

The K-03 Ryś camouflage uses an irregular five-color pattern designed to replicate the shades and shadows of terrain, foliage, shrubs, and forest undergrowth typical of Poland. Military officials demonstrated that the print conceals personnel in both woodland and built-up environments during day and night operations. Compared to the previous three-color Pantera design, the new camouflage provides approximately 30% greater concealment capability. The textile itself offers 30% higher tear resistance and seven times greater abrasion resistance than the older fabric, alongside increased elasticity and improved color durability. The patterns and cuts have been patented and registered across Poland and the European Union.

Manufacturing and procurement budget

The entire production process will take place inside Poland following initial design and testing by domestic military personnel. Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that the manufacturing cost per uniform is approximately 1,000 PLN. Under the current schedule, the ministry will deliver at least 7,500 sets to soldiers before the end of 2026, targeting selected operational units first. For the following fiscal year, the defence ministry plans to allocate not less than 1 billion PLN toward manufacturing and equipping troops with the K-03 equipment.

We will invest in this because their safety, concealment ability, and service comfort are absolutely the most important to us.

Transition strategy and warehouse reserves

The replacement of field uniforms will proceed as a phased transition across all branches of the Polish Armed Forces rather than an immediate switch. Defence officials affirmed that the military will continue using existing stockpiles of Pantera uniforms alongside the rollout of the new pattern to avoid resource waste. Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that while the military previously experienced periods with severe uniform shortages, current supply levels allow for a managed transition to higher-standard gear. The full phase-out of the wz. 93 pattern will continue across subsequent months and years as domestic factories scale up production.

I also want to ensure that we will use all the reserves we have accumulated.