The hi-tech gear of an Australian soldier

An Australian soldier pictured in Afghanistan. Source: Supplied

IN 15 years, the value of an Australian soldier's gear has jumped from $3,700 to almost $30,000.

The uniforms have been redesigned, the armour has been upgraded and the weapons have become even more deadly.

MORE: Cost of Aussie soldier's kit soars

All of those improvements raise our Diggers' chances of survival when they travel to the world's most dangerous places.

Of course, soldiers carry different types and amounts of equipment, depending on their duties. In some situations they're expected to carry up to 58 kilograms. But even their most basic gear is impressively hi-tech.

OK, so some soldiers carry a LOT of stuff. Source: News Corp Australia

CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORM

The army uses three kinds of camouflage, each of which is tailored to certain conditions. The first is a Disruptive Pattern print, which has been around since the 1980s and was developed using aerial photographs of Australian terrain.

Then there's a Disruptive Pattern Desert print, which incorporates different colours and is used in, you guessed it, desert conditions.

MORE: Soldiers dress for futuristic battlefield

Finally, there's the Multicam uniform, which has seven different colours and works in a wide range of environments. It also has built-in knee and elbow pads to help reduce the number minor injuries our soldiers suffer.

These two soldiers are wearing Multicam uniforms. Source: News Limited

TIERED BODY ARMOUR

The Tiered Body Armour System gives soldiers extra protection, along with a series of pouches in which to place their ammunition and equipment.

The armour is designed to stop "small arms fire and fragmentation." It also has a quick release mechanism, which makes it quick and easy to remove the armour in an emergency.

Note the pouches. Source: Supplied

ENHANCED COMBAT HELMET

The point of the helmet is pretty obvious — it's there to protect the soldier's head from bullets. But it's engineered to be lightweight and camouflaged as well.

The current standard issue combat helmet was introduced in 2004 after winning a competition between four rival designs.

Four soldiers wear the Enhanced Combat Helmet. Source: Supplied

OCULAR PROTECTION SYSTEM

Eye protection is extremely important, particularly in desert-like environments where sand and dust swirls through the air.

The Ballistic and Laser Ocular Protection System shields a soldier's eyes from enemies, as well as environmental threats. It comes in the form of goggles or sunglasses.

No, those aren't just ski goggles. Source: Supplied

F88 AUSTEYR RIFLE

The F88SA2 is the standard combat weapon for Australian infantry. It fires 5.56 x 45 millimetre ammunition at up to 850 rounds per minute, with an effective range of 300 metres. The rifle can even be fitted with a Grenade Launcher Attachment.

In other words, it's a very deadly weapon.

The gun is 79 centimetres long, and it weighs four kilograms when fully loaded.

A soldier from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment firing an F88 rifle. Source: News Limited

Cadets train with the F88 Austeyr rifle. Source: Supplied

FIELD PACK

Packs are used to carry supplies during operations that last longer than 24 hours. They come in several sizes, but the largest contains about 80 litres of space, which is enough to hold sleeping gear and more than three days' worth of food and water.

This soldier is wearing a large field pack. Source: Supplied

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