Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown (left) and Warrant Officer Mark Pentreath in the new Air Force General Purpose Uniform. Picture: Australian Air Force

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown (left) and Warrant Officer Mark Pentreath in the new Air Force General Purpose Uniform. Picture: Australian Air Force SGT Murray Staff

ROYAL Australian Air Force personnel will gain a new identity after the launch of the latest general purpose uniform at the Centenary of Military Aviation Airshow at the weekend.

Air Force Chief Air Marshal Geoff Brown said dark blue and metal grey uniform would replace the current camouflage uniforms.

"The purpose of the GPU is to provide a unique and easily identifiable Air Force presence to the Australian Defence and civilian communities, consistent with the Air Force's distinctive identity and still effective in meeting our service requirements," he said.

"The new uniform will replace the current camouflage uniform, also worn by Army, for general base duties and in non-warlike environments such as humanitarian tasks and defence assistance to the civil community."

Air Marshall Brown said the Air Force GPU will be cost neutral over the long term due to uniform production changes, depletion of existing stocks and reforms to standard equipment issue.

He said it was planned that all Air Force personnel will be issued with a mix of camouflage uniforms and GPUs by the end of 2015.