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The Belgian Army's M71 Individual Webbing System, developed in 1971 and widely produced from 1978, served as the standard issue gear for Belgian soldiers until the late 1990s. The modular, olive green load-bearing system is crafted from durable cotton webbing, influenced by US and British designs.

Key components include the M71 Pistol Belt, H-Straps for weight distribution, and ammunition pouches for FN FAL magazines. Additional items in the system consist of a buttpack for personal items, a canteen cover for water storage, a bayonet frog for securing the bayonet, a shovel pouch for an entrenching tool, and a 24-liter rucksack for extra supplies. The M71 system was eventually replaced by modern vests featuring Jigsaw camouflage.