The new uniform to be worn by members of the Army was presented yesterday at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, with members of the Second Infantry Battalion acting as models.
The new gear, in camouflage colours, is, said an Army spokesman, replacing a uniform which was "a little out of date".
Made from disruptive pattern material, the uniform was designed by the Defence Forces' clothing committee and tested on a small group of soldiers before it was decided to kit out all 9,000 members.
The pattern on the fabric has been patented by the Department of Defence and is unique to the Army. Each uniform will cost more than £100, and the contract for supplying them was secured by Westport Clothing, Co Mayo.
An Army spokesman, Comdt Eoghan O'Neachtain, said the green uniforms were phased out over the past 12 months. "People are issued with combat uniforms every two years. Anyone due a new uniform last year didn't get one. They had to wait for the new ones," he said.
"The first soldiers to wear the uniform were members of Kfor who went to Kosovo last August. Any unit that has gone overseas since has worn them and since March 1st all units at home are being issued with them."
The new uniform includes an outer smock, slacks, a shirt, vest and a zipped polo-neck fleece. It is the working dress of Army personnel but the traditional green suit will still be worn by officers on ceremonial occasions.
"The design is on the modern layered system. Rather than wearing one bulky jacket, they will wear layers of clothing to retain heat," Comdt O'Neachtain said.
"It's an international norm now that military wear uniforms made from disruptive pattern material. We are involved with European armies and in 18 countries around the world and our uniform was a little out of date, to say the least. This brings it right up to modern-day design."