Thats what I mean , special forces have ghe freexom to choose their entire loadouts and obiously whefever they operate will effect their choice, if you look at us and uk special forces togethef in iraq afgan or wherever they use pretty much the same kit.
And as for regular soldiers marines etc, sure they have different camo etc but the whole thing that the us use more tac gear is bollox.
Not really, again uk and us special forces use almost the same kit...
Hi,
I am sorry but no. The kits are not the same. There are some similarities but also some very major differences.
There is some gear swapping with regards to US camo being used by UK forces and the odd bit of load carrying gear but thats where it ends. You won't see a USSF soldier in DPM
Also special forces are NOT given freedom to choose their own loadout. They are given a set of kit and can choose to get stuff from there onward. It makes no sense for someone to buy themselves a new plate carrier, have to take out insurance for the plate carrier than use the perfectly good one provided by UKSF.
Also weapon modifications are also limited. The idea that you can bring your own scope is not true. SF units have a range of kit to choose from but they don't buy their own. There is also absolutely no bringing your own weapons. Source of this is directly from SEAL Team 5 sailor.
In quoting an ex-SAS captain the US do use more tac gear. He said if you want a group to do urban ops the US are the way forwards as hey have all the tech and gear to support it. However, if you want someone to sit in a hole in the middle of a jungle then UK every time. Granted recently UK forces are using more but it is still limited compared to that of the US.
What you will generally tend to find is that the UKSF are a step or two behind the US.. commonly used kit, eg Paraclete RAV was used by UKSF in Iraq and Afghanistan but is now only used in training with USSF who opt for LBT gear now. NVGs are also a step behind the Americans are are helmets. We were using PEQ2s when they're using PEQ15s.
Oh and UKSF don't use M4s they use L119A1 which are Diemaco C8 carbines. Similar but not the same.
But back to the question as to why you see more US.. basically its different and there more options. Also Asian companies make US parts for the US market whereas the UK market is usually to small for them to make a replica Mk.7 or SA80 bayonet for instance.
The fact the US is different is probably the biggest reason. No one really wants to wear DPM as they can be considered a noob and MTP is all over the place that its nearly as common if not more common then DPM.
I went for African loadouts are finishing my US and UKSF loaoduts as it was something different.