Personal Load Carrying Equipment

The PLCE (Personal Load Carrying Equipment) is the current tactical webbing system of the British Armed Forces. Dependant upon the year of design, and the decade of introduction, the webbing system was designated, and is commonly referred to, as either the 85 Pattern, the 90 Pattern or the 95 Pattern webbing.

The basic configuration consists of a belt, a shoulder harness and a number of individual pouches. Associated with the PLCE webbing system is a series of other similar load carrying equipment, individual items and rucksacks that are produced of the same materials and feature high interoperability.

The purpose of the PLCE webbing system is to retain the means by which a British soldier may operate for 48 hours or conduct a mission-specific task. Items and components may include a variety of munitions and weapon ancillaries, a three-fold entrenching tool, a bayonet, food and water (including a means to heat water and prepare food), Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) protective clothing and communications equipment. Soldiers will also often carry other personal items such as waterproof clothing and spare socks.

The PLCE webbing system had replaced the Type 58 Pattern webbing, which was Olive (OD/OG) in colour and made of Canvas material. This system, after having been introduced to the forces in the year 1960, and considered long outdated by the year 1980, was still being part of the standard issue equipment of the British Armed Forces during the Falklands Conflict in the year 1982.

To overcome the common issues associated with Canvas materials, such as shrinking and accelerated decomposition in damp climate conditions, arctic climate conditions, or constant exposure to wet terrain, military load bearing systems, outside of the range of use by the British Armed Forces, had been revised to incorporate or be produced of newer and tougher materials.

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