Join the discussion for a collective voice to guide textile innovation for defence clothing.
Round Table 3 on Addressing Clothing & Armour Fit Issues in Defence & SecurityForces:
2nd October 2025, 2:00PM – 3:15PM
Help to inform on new technologies for new threats.
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES
Rapidly evolving artificial technologies in military applications are making current defence clothing solutions become outdated, with a greater need than ever for PPE innovation.
It is the view of PCIAW® that military procurement must not underestimate the role of defence clothing in shielding against thermal imaging and infrared-detection technologies that are identifying soldiers on the ground.
2024 INTERACTIVE SUSTAINABLE SUMMARY
0
%
of female soldiers are wearing ill-fitting armour
~
0
%
fewer burn injuries when soldiers wear FR
Defence Clothing for Modern Threats
The PCIAW® Round Table Series on ‘Defence Clothing for Modern Threats’ will explore military uniform innovations, including disruptive camouflage and female-fit body armour, plus the motivations to advance the protective solutions from a procurement perspective.
Textiles for defence clothing are undergoing a pivotal stage of innovation, as conductive yarns, infrared-absorbing dyes are being developed to combat the advancement of detection technologies. PCIAW® is seeking to bring the defence supply chain together to consider the priorities for the near future.
Textiles for defence clothing are undergoing a pivotal stage of innovation, as conductive yarns, infrared-absorbing dyes are being developed to combat the advancement of detection technologies. PCIAW® is seeking to bring the defence supply chain together to consider the priorities for the near future.
Round Table # 3
Addressing Clothing & Armour Fit in Defence & Security Forces
- Tackling Poor Fit and Design Inclusivity – discuss how current body armour and combat clothing are compromising the safety and operational effectiveness of diverse personnel, particularly women and ethnic minorities.
- Addressing Retention and Morale Issues – explore the link between poorly designed or inadequately fitting PPE and reduced morale, and the resultant recruitment and retention issues within defence and security workforce.
- Overcoming Financial and Logistical Hurdles – challenge common barriers like high cost and MoQ's for sourcing inclusive uniforms and consider the logistical complexities of stocking and distributing a wider range of sizes globally.
- Utilising Anthropometric Data and Digital Tech – assess the level of understanding defence organisations have regarding their workforces' body measurements and the processes/technologies used to capture anthropometric data.
- Reforming Procurement and Collaboration – identify available fit-for-form design innovations and determine how tender specifications can be revised to prioritise inclusive fit solutions through end-user industry collaboration.
Round Table # 1
What PCIAW® wants to know
Round Table # 2
What PCIAW® wants to know
- Urgent needs – overview the turbulent geopolitics and military landscapes to justify why more attention towards innovation is needed than in recent decades.
- User functionality – outline specific roles that military personnel undertake and what functionality and flexibility is required from the clothing and PPE.
- Wide ranging threats – consider the various protective requirements from chemical, fire, oil resistance to considerations like mosquito-repellence.
- Battlefield environments – discuss how modern warfare is taking place in urban surroundings with drone technologies requiring new ways of avoiding detection.
- Security of supply – look at multi-shoring manufacturing to de-risk supply chains in case of disruption and how the circular economy can help in the long term.
- Functional trends – discuss the evolving designs that are creating modular layering systems for versatile use in various environments and climates.
- User protection – outline product improvements in reducing weight, increasing mobility and breathability to help end-users perform.
- Smart textiles – explore new technologies and the potential benefits for military applications from disruptive camouflage to location tracking and health vitals.
- Tender strategies – consider the impact of switching from solution-based specifications to need-based to broaden proposals for more innovation.
- Procurement strategy – evaluate how prioritising product performance longevity can reduce costs over contract terms and deliver more functional protection.