| Royal Netherlands Army | |
|---|---|
| Koninklijke Landmacht | |
 Emblem of the Royal Netherlands Army | |
| Founded | 1572; 453 years ago (1572) |
| Country |  Netherlands |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | 26,606 personnel (2025)[1]
|
| Part of | Netherlands Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Kromhoutkazerne,Utrecht |
| Engagements | List of engagements
|
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Lt GenJan Swillens |
| Deputy commander | Maj Gen Jean Paul Duckers |
| Army Adjutant | AOO Cees Bielander |
| Insignia | |
| Flag (Restricted use) |  |
| Flag |  |
| Logo |  |
TheRoyal Netherlands Army (Dutch:Koninklijke Landmacht, KL) is theland branch of theNetherlands Armed Forces. Though the Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, its origins date back to 1572, when theStaatse Leger was raised making the Dutch standing army one of the oldest in the world. It fought in theNapoleonic Wars,World War II, theIndonesian War of Independence and theKorean War, as well as served withNATO on theCold War frontiers inWest Germany from the 1950s to the 1990s.[3]
Since 1990, the army has been sent into theIraq War (from 2003) and into theWar in Afghanistan, as well as deployed in several United Nations' peacekeeping missions (notably withUNIFIL in Lebanon,UNPROFOR inBosnia-Herzegovina andMINUSMA in Mali).[4]
The tasks of the Royal Netherlands Army are laid out in theConstitution of the Netherlands: defend the territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (including theDutch Caribbean) and all of its allies, protect and advance the international legal order and to support the (local) government in law enforcement, disaster relief and humanitarian aid, both nationally and internationally.[5] The supreme authority over theArmed Forces of the Netherlands is exercised by thegovernment (consisting of theKing and thecabinet ministers); there is thus no constitutionalsupreme commander. However, army personnel do swear allegiance to theDutch monarch.[6]
Dutch army doctrine strongly emphasises international co-operation.[7] The Netherlands are a founding member of, and strong contributor toNATO, while closely co-operating with fellow member states duringEuropean Union–led missions as well. Moreover, the successful Dutch-German military co-operation is seen as a harbinger of European defence integration, facing fewer linguistic and cultural issues than the comparableFranco-German Brigade.[8] The Netherlands cooperates with Germany in the Competence Centre Surface Based Air and Missile Defence (CC SABMD) atRamstein Air Base.[9] In 2014, the11 Airmobile Brigade was integrated into theRapid Forces Division;[10] in 2016, the Dutch-German414 Tank Battalion was integrated into the43rd Mechanised Brigade, which was in turn integrated into the1st Panzer Division.[8][11] In 2023, the final brigade of the Royal Netherlands Army, the13th Light Brigade, was integrated into the10th Panzer Division of the GermanBundeswehr.[12][13]
Additionally, the GermanAir Defence Missile Group 61 (German:Flugabwehrraketengruppe 61) was integrated into the Dutch Joint Ground-based Air Defence Command in 2018.[14]
The Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, but its origins date back to the founding of theStaatse Leger (the Army of the Dutch States) in 1572: the creation of one of the first modern standing armies. Under the command of famous commanders such asMaurice of Orange andWilliam Louis of Nassau-Dillenburg, the army developed widely.[15][3][16][17]
TheDutch States Army of theDutch Republic saw action in theEighty Years' War, theDano-Swedish War, theFranco-Dutch War, theNine Years' War, theWar of Spanish Succession, theWar of Austrian Succession, as well as theFrench Revolutionary Wars.[15]
With the French conquest of the Netherlands, theStaatse Leger was replaced by the army of theBatavian Republic in 1795, which in turn was replaced by the army of theKingdom of Holland in 1806. This army fought beside the French, to repel theAnglo-Russian invasion of Holland in 1799 and to wage several campaigns in Germany, Austria, and Spain between 1800 and 1810; particularly notable were the engagements of the Horse Artillery (Korps Rijdende Artillerie) at theBattle of Friedland in 1807, the capture of the city ofStralsund in 1807 and 1809, and the participation of theDutch brigade in thePeninsular War between 1808 and 1810.[18] The independent army was disbanded in 1810, whenNapoleon decided to integrate the Netherlands into France ("La Hollande est reunie à l'Empire"): Dutch military units became part of theGrande Armée (the present-day French126th Infantry Regiment has Dutch origins).[19] Dutch military elements participated in the disastrousFrench invasion of Russia in 1812, and the actions of the Pontonniers company under Captain Benthien at theBerezina River (Battle of Berezina) are especially noteworthy. New research points out that, contrary to long-held belief, around half of the Dutch contingent of the Grande Armée survived the Russian Campaign.[20]
In 1814, a year after the return ofWilliam I of the Netherlands toScheveningen and theOrangist uprising against Napoleonic rule, an independent Dutch army was reformed by the newKingdom of the United Netherlands. Several militias of theDutch States Army were integrated into this newly formed Netherlands Mobile Army, and it became an integral part of the allied army during theHundred Days campaign that culminated in theBattle of Waterloo.[21] Units such as Baron Chassé's were essential to securing victory for the allied army. The army was involved in various conflicts since 1814, including theWaterloo campaign (1815) and different colonial wars (1825–1925).[22]
During theBelgian Revolution, from 1830 to 1832, the army was deployed to restore order in the southern provinces. After initial Dutch military success and widespread Belgian defeat during battles of theTen Days' Campaign, the Belgian rebels appealed toFrance for military support. The severely outnumbered Dutch troops were forced to retreat when the French agreed to send reinforcements.[23]
The Netherlands continued the policy ofneutrality duringWorld War I. This stance arose partly from a strict policy of neutrality in international affairs that started in 1830 with thesecession of Belgium. Dutch neutrality was not guaranteed by the major powers in Europe however, nor was it a part of the Dutch constitution. The country's neutrality was based on the belief that its strategic position between theGerman Empire, German-occupied Belgium, and the British guaranteed its safety. The Dutch military strategy was aimed exclusively at defence and rested to a large extent on theDutch Water Line, a defensive ring of rivers and lowland surrounding the core Dutch region of Holland, that could be inundated.[24][3]
At the beginning of theSecond World War, the I Corps was the force strategic reserve and was located in the Vesting Holland, aroundThe Hague,Leiden,Haarlem and in theWestland.[25] TheGerman invasion posed a complete surprise for the army command and shocked the Dutch population. While the Royal Netherlands Army initially managed to slow down the German advance and fought back in intense battles, such as theBattle for The Hague, theBattle of Rotterdam and theBattle of the Afsluitdijk, the devastatingGerman bombing of Rotterdam and the threat of bombing the city ofUtrecht forced the Dutch supreme command to capitulate.[26]
The Royal Netherlands army was disbanded during the German occupation, however army personnel continued the battle against the German occupiers during the war. Army resistance began to rise again with the formation of thePrincess Irene Brigade andNo. 2 (Dutch) Troop (predecessor to theKorps Commandotroepen) as part of theFree Dutch Forces in exile, and with army personnel active in theDutch resistance.[27][28] In the East, theRoyal Netherlands East Indies Army was defeated by the Japanese in 1942; few elements managed to escape. Today's army grew out of the wartime force, starting with the liberation of parts of the Netherlands in 1944; the Dutch had plans to contribute a 200,000 strong army to the defeat of Germany and Japan.[29]
Between 1945 and 1949, the Royal Netherlands Army, which originally used mainlywar volunteers but later was heavily dependent on conscripts, was deployed to theDutch East Indies during theIndonesian War of Independence. To restore Dutch authority in theDutch East Indies, the expeditionary land forceFirst Division "7 December" was established in 1946.[30] Approximately 25,000 volunteers and 95,000 conscripts were deployed to the East during the conflict, 4,751 servicemen were killed.[31]
During theKorean War, 4,748 members of the army, theRoyal Netherlands Navy and theNetherlands Marine Corps formed theNederlands Detachement Verenigde Naties and were dispatched to East Asia to fight against the troops of the People's Republic of China and North Korea. 122 soldiers were killed in action, 3 soldiers wentmissing in action.[32]
TheI (Netherlands) Corps stood watch alongside its NATO allies in Germany during the Cold War. The corps consisted of three divisions during the 1980s, the 1st, 4th, and 5th (reserve) divisions.[33] It was part of the NATONorthern Army Group. The corps' war assignment, as formulated by Commander,Northern Army Group (COMNORTHAG), would be to:[34]
Dutch army troops have deployed to Lebanon as part of an international protection force since 1979 War in Lebanon, 1979–1985UNIFIL. Of the 9,084 soldiers who served in Lebanon, 9 soldiers were killed in action.[35]
At the height of the Cold War the Dutch army had almost 1,000 tanks in service.[36]
TheFall of the Iron Curtain and the ensuing end of the Cold War has had a significant impact on the Dutch armed forces as a whole, but on the army in particular. Mandatory conscription was suspended and surplus equipment deemed unnecessary was sold. An airmobile brigade was formed and co-operation with allied countries, Germany in particular, was intensified. TheI (NL) Corps was reduced to theFirst Division "7 December" in 1995, which became part of the newly establishedI. German/Dutch Corps, and consequently the division headquarters itself was disbanded.[37] In addition, the army increasingly concentrated on peace-keeping and peace-enforcing operations and has been involved in several operations in the formerYugoslavia (1991–present), but also in Cambodia (1992–1994), Haiti (1995–1996), Cyprus (1998–1999), Eritrea and Ethiopia (2001), and most recent in Iraq (2003–2005), Afghanistan (2002–present), Chad (2008–2009) and Mali (2014–2019).[4]
As mentioned,peace dividend was collected throughout the 1990s, 2000s and early 2010s resulting in a dramatic downsizing in both budget and size. Of a total of 445Leopard 2 MBTs originally purchased, 114 tanks and 1 turret were sold to Austria, 100 to Canada, 57 to Norway, 1 driver training tank and 10 turrets to Germany and 38 to Portugal (1 driver training tank).[38][39] On 8 April 2011, the Dutch Ministry of Defense dissolved the last tank unit and sold the remaining Leopard tanks due another series of large budget cuts while also dismissing 6,000 servicemen and women.[40] On 18 May 2011, the last Leopard 2 fired the final shot at theBergen-Hohne Training Area.[41] In 2014, the Dutch defence budget hit a new low, 7.4 billion euros (1.09% of GDP), resulting in thecombat readiness of both personnel and equipment being subpar.[42][43] The negative trend was broken from 2015 onwards due to a perceived shifting international security situation. The attitude towards defence changed, mainly caused by increasing tensions with Russia (caused by thedowning of the MH17 flight and theannexation of Crimea) and therise of the Islamic State, resulting in the defence budget seeing an increase of over 50 percent between 2014 and 2020, amounting to 11.04 billion euros (1.35% of GDP) in 2020.[44] In September 2024 it was announced that the Netherlands will acquire new tanks.[45][46][47]
Dutch army personnel was deployed toBosnia between 1994 and 1995 to, as part of the UN peace forceUNPROFOR, to restrain the escalating ethnic violence of theBosnian War.[48] Three infantry battalion (known asDutchbats) of the, at the time, recently established11 Air Assault Brigade were sequentially deployed to guard theUnited Nations Safe Areas of any possible threats. This mission became infamous following theSiege of Srebrenica and the ensuingSrebrenica massacre.[49] Bosnian Serb troops under the command of generalRatko Mladic, sentenced to life imprisonment on accounts of participating ingenocide,crimes against humanity, andwar crimes in 2017,[50] invaded the enclave ofSrebrenica and subsequently deported and massacred a large share of the present Bosniak men and boys.[51]
A contingent of 1,345 troops (comprising Army andDutch Marines, supported byRoyal Netherlands Air Force helicopters) was deployed to Iraq in 2003, based at Camp Smitty nearAs Samawah (Southern Iraq) with responsibility for theMuthanna Province, as part of theMultinational force in Iraq.[52] On 1 June 2004, the Dutch government renewed their stay through 2005.[53] The Netherlands pulled its troops out of Iraq in March 2005, leaving half a dozen liaison officers until late 2005.[54] The Netherlandslost two soldiers in separate attacks.[53]
From 2015 until the spring of 2018, Dutchspecial operations forces (KCT andNLMARSOF) deployed advice and assist (A&A) teams to northern Iraq in co-operation with the BelgianSpecial Forces Group.[55] During this deployment, they provided support toKurdishPeshmerga andIraqi Army forces before, during and after operations in thebattle against ISIL, as part of theCombined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.[56] The Netherlands currently deploy approximately 60 troops to Iraq.[57]
Between 2001 and 2003, a reinforced army company was deployed to Afghanistan to provide support in maintaining public order, and providing security in and around the capitalKabul.[58] In addition, military assistance was provided to theAfghan National Army and to local security troops. The troops were deployed under the command ofNATO'sInternational Security Assistance Force mission.
Between 2006 and 2010, the Netherlands deployed personnel to southern Afghanistan.[59] Together with theAustralian armed forces, Dutch forces were assigned the province ofUruzgan as theirarea of operations. In mid-2006, Dutch special forces of theKorps Commandotroepen as part of the Deployment Task Force successfully deployed toTarin Kowt to lay the ground for the increasing numbers ofengineers who were due to build a base there.[60] By August 2006 the Netherlands had deployed the majority of 1,400 troops toUruzgan province in southern Afghanistan atMulti National Base Tarin Kot (Kamp Holland) inTarin Kowt (1,200) and Kamp Hadrian inDeh Rahwod (200).[59][61]PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery pieces were deployed and used in combat for the first time.[62] The Dutch forces operated under the command of theISAFTask Force Uruzgan and were involved in some of the more intensivecombat operations in southern Afghanistan, includingOperation Medusa and theBattle of Chora.[63][62] On 18 April 2008, the second day of his command, the son of theCommander of the Royal Netherlands Army Lieutenant-generalPeter van Uhm, Lieutenant Dennis van Uhm, was one of two servicemen killed by a road side explosion.[64] As of 1 September 2008, the Netherlands had a total of 1,770 troops in Afghanistan excluding special forces troops.[65] In total, 25 Dutch servicemen werekilled in action during the deployment.[66] All Dutch troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan by August 2010.[67]
Since 2015, 160 Dutch troops from theKorps Commandotroepen (rotated withNLMARSOF) and multiple support elements are deployed to the Afghan city ofMazar-e-Sharif as part ofNATO'sResolute Support Mission.[68] Dutch troops co-operate with personnel of the GermanKommando Spezialkräfte as part of the German-Dutch lead Special Operations Advisory Team (SOAT). The SOAT provides advice and assistance during operations to an Afghanpolice tactical unit, the Afghan Territorial Force-888 (ATF-888).[69] The SOAT has been granted authority to deploy in the entirety of Afghanistan.[70]
Special forces of theKorps Commandotroepen have been deployed to Mali since 2014 as part of the UN-missionMINUSMA.[71] The primary task of the Dutch forces has been to gather intelligence concerning local Islamist groups and to protect the people of Mali against radical Islamist groups.[72] Since 2016, personnel of11th Airmobile Brigade and13th Light Brigade have been included in rotations. On 6 July 2016, two servicemen of 11 Airmobile Brigade were killed during a mortar firing exercise, a third serviceman was severely wounded.[73] The incident lead to the resignation of theminister of DefenceJeanine Hennis-Plasschaert andChief of DefenceTom Middendorp after a critical report by theDutch Safety Board found that the safety-standards were subpar.[74][75] The Netherlands have ended their troop contribution to the peacekeeping mission in May 2019 to send troops to Afghanistan instead.[76]
Thecabinet of the Netherlands announced in 2016 that the Netherlands would contribute troops to theNATO Enhanced Forward Presence mission in Lithuania[77] to protect and reassure countries onNATO's eastern flank—Baltic countries and Poland in particular—of their security following increased political tensions sparked by theRusso-Ukrainian War.[78] The Dutch contribution currently equates to approximately 270 troops, integrated into a multinatinational battle group that is headed by Germany.[79] Each rotation is composed of armoured infantry companies equipped withCV9035NLIFVs andBoxerAFVs, or artillery batteries equipped withPzH 2000NLself-propelled howitzers.[80]
The core fighting element of the army consists of three brigades:11 Airmobile Brigade,13 Light Brigade and43 Mechanised Brigade.[81] The number of full-time professional personnel is 21,225, in addition to around 4,046 reservists.[82] The Royal Netherlands Army is a volunteer force; compulsory military service has not been abolished but has been suspended.[83] The other three services, (theRoyal Netherlands Navy,Royal Netherlands Air Force andRoyal Marechaussee), are fully volunteer forces as well.
Land Forces Headquarters, inUtrecht
11 Airmobile Brigade, inSchaarsbergen
13 Light Brigade, inOirschot
43 Mechanised Brigade, inHavelte
Korps Commandotroepen, inRoosendaal_Corps.svg)
1 (GE/NL) Corps, inMünster (Germany)
Joint Ground-based Air Defence Command, inVredepeel
Operational Support Command Land, inApeldoorn
Army Materiel Logistic Command, inUtrecht
Education and Training Command, inAmersfoortBesides the hierarchical organisation, the Royal Netherlands Army upholds a traditional organisation in which a distinction exists between arms of services. This organisation is purely ceremonial. Generally speaking, combat and combat support units are organised in arms, and support units are organised in services.[84] There are two exceptions: the Engineers and the Signals Service.
The arms and services can in turn be further divided into one, or multiple regiments. These administrative organisations safeguard the traditions of the operational units. Before theSecond World War, regiments were merely given a number, with the exception of theGrenadiers andJagers regiments. Since the 1950s however, the regiments were given a historical name. The function of a regiment is strictly ceremonial, and is intended to increaseesprit de corps.[85]
The Royal Netherlands Army consists of the following arms, and subsequent regiments and corps:[84]
| Regiment | Unit | Year | Insignia | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infantry Arm (Foot guards) | ||||||
| Garderegiment Grenadiers en Jagers | 11 Infantry Battalion | 1995 |   | Established in 1995 through amalgamation of two regiments which were formed in 1829. | ||
| Garderegiment Fuseliers Prinses Irene | 17 Armoured Infantry Battalion | 1941 |  | Established in 1941. | ||
| Infantry Arm (Line infantry) | ||||||
| Regiment Infanterie Johan Willem Friso | 44 Armoured Infantry Battalion | 1813 |  | Former 1st and 9th Infantry Regiment, established in 1813. | ||
| Regiment Infanterie Oranje Gelderland | 45 Armoured Infantry Battalion | 1813 |  | Former 5th and 8th Infantry Regiment, established in 1813. | ||
| Regiment Limburgse Jagers | 42 Armoured Infantry Battalion | 1813 |  | Former 2nd, 6th and 11th Infantry Regiment, established in 1813. | ||
| Regiment Van Heutsz | 12 Infantry Battalion | 1832 |  | Maintains traditions of the disbandedRoyal Netherlands East Indies Army and the Netherlands Detachment United Nations which fought in theKorean War, established in 1832 although origins date back to 1814. | ||
| Korps Nationale Reserve | • 10 Infantry Battalion • 20 Infantry Battalion • 30 Infantry Battalion | 1914 |  | Maintains traditions of theVolunteer Landstorm, established in 1914. | ||
| Korps Commandotroepen | Korps Commandotroepen | 1942 |  | Successor toNo. 2 (Dutch) Troop andKorps Speciale Troepen, established in 1942. | ||
| Regiment Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard | 13 Infantry Battalion | 1944 |  | Established in 1944 by amalgation of several resistance groups. | ||
| Regiment Infanterie Menno van Coehoorn | Disbanded | 1950 |  | Former 3rd Infantry Regiment, disbanded in 1997. | ||
| Regiment Infanterie Chassé | Disbanded | 1950 |  | Former 7th and 10th Infantry Regiment, disbanded in 1995. | ||
| Cavalry Arm | ||||||
| Regiment Huzaren Van Boreel | • 11 Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron •42 Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron • 43 Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron • 104 JISTARC Reconnaissance Squadron | 1813 | .jpg) | Former 4th Hussars Regiment. Established in 1813 while its origins date back to 1585. – Reconnaissance/ISTAR | ||
| Regiment Huzaren Prins Alexander | Disbanded | 1950 |  | Former 3rd Hussar Regiment, the regiment was disbanded in November 2007. The maintenance of regimental traditions was transferred to the Regiment Huzaren van Boreel. The regiment was permanently disbanded by royal decree on 2 June 2016. | ||
| Regiment Huzaren Van Sytzama | Disbanded | 1951 |  | Former 1st Hussar Regiment, disbanded in May 2011. The maintenance of regimental traditions was transferred to the Regiment Huzaren van Boreel. The regiment was formally re-established by royal decree on 2 June 2016. Disbanded 2020. | ||
| Regiment Huzaren Prins van Oranje | Disbanded | 1979 |  | Former 2nd Hussar Regiment, disbanded in September 2012. The maintenance of regimental traditions was transferred to the Regiment Huzaren van Boreel. The regiment was formally re-established by royal decree on 2 June 2016. Disbanded 2020 | ||
| Regiment Huzaren Prinses Catharina-Amalia | 4th Tank Company,414 Tank Battalion | 2020 |  | The regiment was formally established by royal decree on 20 November 2020. At the same time Regiment Huzaren Prins Alexander, Regiment Huzaren Van Sytzama and Regiment Huzaren Prins van Oranje have been disbanded. | ||
| Artillery Arm | ||||||
| Korps Veldartillerie | • A Battery of 41 Artillery Battalion • B Battery of 41 Artillery Battalion • D Battery of 41 Artillery Battalion | 1677 |  | Field artillery corps, established in 1677. Currently operatesPzH 2000NLself-propelled howitzers. | ||
| Korps Rijdende Artillerie | • Staff Battery of 41 Artillery Battalion • C Battery of 41 Artillery Battalion | 1793 |  | Horse artillery corps, established in 1793. Currently operates120mm Rayé Tractéheavy mortars. | ||
| Korps Luchtdoelartillerie | 13th Air Defense Battery | 1917 |  | Air defence artillery corps, established in 1917. Currently operatesNASAMS 2 medium rangesurface-to-air missiles,FennekStinger Weapon Platforms, and TRML systems. | ||
| Engineer Arm | ||||||
| Regiment Genietroepen | • 11 Engineer Company • 41 Armoured Engineer Battalion • 11 Armoured Engineer Battalion • 101 Engineer Battalion | 1748 |  | Established in 1748. | ||
| Signals Arm | ||||||
| Regiment Verbindingstroepen | • Command & Control Support Command • 102 Electronic Warfare Company | 1874 |  | Established in 1874. | ||
| Information Manoeuvre Arm | ||||||
| Korps Inlichtingen & Veiligheid Prinses Alexia | • Joint ISTAR Command • Defense Intelligence and Security Institute | 2020 |  | Established in 2020. Successor of 101 MI Coy (est. 1954). | ||
| Korps Communicatie & Engagement Prinses Ariane | • 1 CMI Command | 2020 |  | Established in 2020. | ||
Each infantry regiment of the Royal Netherlands Army consists of a single battalion. The current order of battle includes a total of seven infantry battalions – of these, two are classed asfoot guards and the remainder asline infantry.[86]
The staff support companies of11 Airmobile Brigade,13 Light Brigade and43 Mechanised Brigade are part of theGarderegiment Grenadiers en Jagers, theGarderegiment Fusiliers Prinses Irene andRegiment Infanterie Johan Willem Friso, respectively.
The cavalry arm currently consists of two active regiments – theRegiment Huzaren van Boreel and theRegiment Huzaren Prinses Catharina-Amalia (having dress uniforms based on the tradition of thehussars). One has responsibility for the army's active reconnaissance units, while the other has been formed as the parent regiment for units equipped withmain battle tanks (MBTs).
Prior to 2012, the army also included full armoured regiments equipped with MBTs. One of these, theRegiment Huzaren Prins Alexander, was disbanded in 2007 due to budget cuts. The other two, theRegiment Huzaren Van Sytzama (former 1st Hussar Regiment) and theRegiment Huzaren Prins van Oranje (former 2nd Hussar Regiment) were disbanded, along with the army's full armoured capability, in 2012 as a result of further cuts to the Dutch defence budget.[87]
In 2016, aGerman armoured unit,414 Panzer Battalion, was attached to the Dutch43 Mechanised Brigade, at the same time becoming a combined German-Dutch unit, with one of the three tank companies and part of the staff and support companies manned with Dutch troops.[88]
The services (Dienstvakken) consist of the logistical service, which comprises four regiments, and four stand-alone support services. The Royal Netherlands Army consists of the following services and regiments:[84]
| Regiment | Unit | Year | Insignia | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logistical Service | ||||||
| Korps Militaire Administratie | Military Administration Corps | 1795 |  | Established in 1795. | ||
| Regiment Geneeskundige Troepen | • 400 Medical Battalion • 11 Medical Company • 13 Medical Company • 43 Medical Company | 1869 |  | Established in 1869. | ||
| Regiment Bevoorradings- en Transporttroepen | • Supply and Transport Command • 11 Supply Company | 1905 |  | Established in 1905. | ||
| Regiment Technische Troepen | • 11 Maintenance Company • 13 Maintenance Company • 43 Maintenance Company • Land Materiel Logistic Command | 1941 |  | Technical troops, established in 1941. | ||
| Other Services | ||||||
| Dienstvak Technische Staf | • 11 Maintenance Company • 13 Maintenance Company • 43 Maintenance Company • Land Materiel Logistic Command | 1954 |  | Academically educated technical engineers, all officers. Focused on acquiring new equipment and performing technical research, established in 1954. | ||
| Dienstvak Militair Juridische Dienst | Military Legal Service | 1949 |  | Established in 1949. | ||
| Dienstvak Militair Psychologische en Sociologische Dienst | Psychological and Sociological Service | 1973 |  | Established in 1973. | ||
| Dienstvak van de Lichamelijke Oefening en Sport | Physical Education and Sports Organisation | 2004 |  | Established in 2004. | ||
The Royal Netherlands Army uniform has multiple categories, ranging from ceremonial uniforms to combat dress to evening wear. In addition, the (special)service dress uniform andmess dress uniform can both be worn in a tropics colourway.[89]
There are four main uniform categories:
Thecombat uniform (Gevechtstenue, GVT) is the day-to-day combat uniform, known asGevechtstenue (GVT M93) and consists of aDisruptive Pattern Material (DPM) jacket and trousers with additional items such as thermals and waterproofs that can be worn underneath. Army combat uniforms are fitted with adistinctive unit insignia on the right arm, while theDutch flag and the wearer's regiment or corps are worn on the left arm. To optimise the effectiveness of the uniform, multiple camouflage patterns are in use:
Theservice dress uniform (Dagelijks tenue, DT) is used for everyday office, barracks and non-field duty purposes. The uniform was designed by the famouscouturierFrans Molenaar and entered service in 2000. It consists oftrousers, a jacket,dress shirt,neck tie and headgear (beret,peaked cap orside cap), in a gray-green fabric. Thespecial dress uniform (Gelegenheidstenue, GLT) is worn for certain formal occasions. It consists of the garments of the service dress uniform, differing by the white dress shirt, black neck tie, white gloves,decorations worn inPrussian arrangement, while officers wear an orangesash around the waist.
Themess dress uniform (Avondtenue, AT) is worn during formal occasions, such as a dinner or aball and consists of a blacksmoking, complemented with a peaked cap and miniature medals.
Each regiment and corps within the army has its ownfull dress uniform (Ceremonieel tenue, CT), which is a traditional uniform that is worn during ceremonies and special occasions.
In past eras, music was used as a means of communication on the battlefield, and todaymilitary music retains an important role during military ceremonies such as enlistments andchanges of command, and national events such asPrinsjesdag and the annualRemembrance of the Dead ceremony on 4 May. In addition, military bands provide the musical accompaniment during the presentation ofletters of credence. Currently,[when?] there are four activemilitary bands andfanfare orchestras within the Royal Netherlands Army:[92]
All regiments and corps are granted acolour (vaandel) orstandard (standaard), including (since 2002) the artillery corps, which at the time was a breach with tradition. The colours and standards form the embodiment of the history and character of the respective regiment or corps. The standards are smaller in size because of a historical reason: horseback units would often struggle with the large sized poles of the regular colours, and therefore chose to wield a shorter version. To this day, the mounted units of the Royal Netherland Army, such ascavalry,field artillery andhorse artillery, use the smaller sized standards. TheRoyal Marechaussee, which used to be a mounted unit of the Royal Netherlands Army, owns a standard as well.[93]
In contrast to the functional use of colours and standards in the past, during which they served as landmarks on the battlefield, their contemporary role has been greatly reduced. Nonetheless, they continue to play an important role during various military ceremonies. For example, soldiers swear the oath of enlistment while holding the respective colour or standard. Moreover, the colours and standards constitute an important connection between military units and theRoyal House of the Netherlands. Only the sovereign can grant a military unit a colour or standard, therefore theroyal cypher of the monarch that granted the regiment its (original) colour is displayed. In addition, the colours and standards are often inscribed with (historical) battle honours. By prominently displaying them, the aim is to add to theesprit de corps, uphold the collective memory and serve as inspiration for future actions of the respective unit.[93]
The ranks of the Royal Netherlands were established by royal decree ofQueen Juliana in 1956.[94] Each regiment and corps has a distinctivecap badge andberet. Many units also call soldiers of different ranks by different names, for example a NATO OR-1private is called ahussar (huzaar) in cavalry regiments and acannoneer (kannonier) in artillery units.[95]
The rank insignia ofcommissioned officers.
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Royal Netherlands Army[95] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
| Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Brigadegeneraal | Kolonel | Luitenant-kolonel | Majoor | Kapitein/ Ritmeester | Eerste luitenant | Tweede luitenant | |||||||||||||||
The rank insignia ofnon-commissioned officers andenlisted personnel.
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Netherlands Army[95] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant-onderofficier | Sergeant-majoor/ Opperwachtmeester | Sergeant der 1e klasse/ Wachtmeester der 1e klasse | Sergeant/ Wachtmeester | Korporaal der 1e klasse | Korporaal | Soldaat/ Huzaar/ Kanonier der 1e klasse | Soldaat/ Huzaar/ Kanonier der 2e klasse | Soldaat/ Huzaar/ Kanonier der 3e klasse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The rank insignia worn by theMonarch of the Netherlands when wearing Royal Netherlands Army uniform.
| Holder | Insignia |
|---|---|
| Koning der Nederlanden[96] |  |
The Royal Netherlands Army's basic weapon is theColt C7NLD orColt C8NLD assault rifle, produced byColt Canada (formerlyDiemaco). The weapons received an extensive update in 2009: the rifle's black furniture was replaced by dark earth furniture. New parts include a new retracting stock, the Diemaco IUR withRIS rails for mounting flashlights and laser systems, and a vertical foregrip with built-in bipod; the thermold plastic magazines have now become brown in color. TheELCAN sighting system has also disappeared in favour of the Swedish madeAimpoint CompM4red dot sight. In addition, the weapon can be enhanced further using thePicatinny rail with attachments such as theHeckler & Koch UGL under-barrel grenade launcher.[97]Special operations forces of theKorps Commandotroepen choose to use modifiedHK416 assault rifles andHK417designated marksman rifles.[98] The standard secondary weapon across all branches of theArmed forces of the Netherlands is the Austrian-madeGlock 17 pistol.[99]
Sniper groups (Schutter Lange Afstand) are equipped withHK417,Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Magnum, its successorAccuracy International AXMC, andBarrett M82 sniper rifles.[100][101][102] Support fire is provided by theFN Minimilight machine gun (LMG), theFN MAGgeneral purpose machine gun (GPMG),FN M2 QCBheavy machine gun (HMG) and theH&K GMGautomatic grenade launcher, while indirect fire support is provided byM6 60mm orL16 81mm mortars.[103][104][105][106]
The army'smain battle tank is theLeopard 2A6.[107] These MBTs have been leased from the German army.[108] The Swedish-madeCV90 (designated as CV9035NL) is theinfantry fighting vehicle of the army, supported on the battlefield byBoxer MRAVarmoured fighting vehicles.[109][110] Reconnaissance units use the light armouredFennekreconnaissance vehicle.[111]
In early September 2024 the new Dutch government announced that it would buy at least 46 (excl. 6 options) of the new Leopard 2A8 MBTs for a full Tank Battalion. These tanks would operate alongside the leased Leopard 2A6 MBTs from Germany. The last government also wanted to buy new tanks, but their defense budget didn't allow it, but now with the new government the defense budget was risen to at least 2% of GDP.[112]
TheFire Support Command currently operates two artillery systems: three batteries equipped withPantserhouwitser 2000NLself-propelled howitzers and one battery equipped with120mm Rayé Tractéheavy mortars.[113][106] Air defence is provided by the modernisedMIM-104 Patriot long-range air defence system operated by the Joint Ground-based Air Defence Command.[114][115] Both the PAC-2surface-to-air missile and PAC-3anti-ballistic missile are in use.[115] In addition, army personnel operateNASAMS 2 medium-rangesurface-to-air missiles,FennekStinger Weapon Platforms, andHensoldtTRML-3D [de] radar systems. These systems are operated combinedly in the Army Ground Based Air Defence System (AGBADS).[116]
For environments that require protection againstSmall Arms and Light Weapons andimprovised explosive devices, the army uses theBushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle.[117] TheMinistry of Defence has recently placed an order for 1,175 new medium multirole protected vehicles, theIveco Medium Tactical Vehicle.[118] The newly developed vehicles are due to commence entering service in early 2023.[119] Multiple versions of theMercedes-Benz Geländewagen are in use across the army, including light armoured combat versions such as the G280 CDI.[120] TheVolkswagen Amarok has replaced a large portion of the Mercedes-Benz fleet that was used for day-to-day utility work and peace time operations.[121]Special operations forces (SOF) operate the Dutch-madeDefenture VECTOR which is tailor-made forspecial operations.[122]
Engineer regiments employ several specialist engineering vehicles based onLeopard 1 andLeopard 2 tanks such as theBuffelarmoured recovery vehicle, theLeguaanarmoured vehicle-launched bridge and theKodiakcombat engineering vehicle.[123][124][125] The army employs a variety of (logistical) utility vehicles, including four-, six-, ten- and fifteen-tonne trucks, mainly produced byDAF andScania.Electronic warfare andCBRN defence units operate theTPz Fuchsarmoured personnel carrier.[126] In addition, during operations that require a high degree of mobility, army personnel have access toLuchtmobiel Speciaal Voertuig,KTM motorcycles andSuzuki quads.[127][128][129]
Multiple types ofunmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are operational within the army. This includes theBlack Hornet Nano,AeroVironment RQ-11B DDL Raven,Boeing Insitu ScanEagle,AeroVironment Wasp III,AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma andBoeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack UAVs.[130] A large share of UAVs are operated by the 107 Aerial Systems Battery of theJoint ISTAR Command.[131] In addition, the Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) unit of13 Light Brigade experiments with and operates variousunmanned ground vehicles, including theTHeMIS produced byMilrem Robotics and theMission Master ofRheinmetall.
Ik zweer trouw aan de Koning, gehoorzaamheid aan de wetten en onderwerping aan de krijgstucht. Zo waarlijk helpe mij God Almachtig
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| Infantry | ||
| Supporting Arms and Services |
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