Royal Netherlands Navy | |
---|---|
Koninklijke Marine | |
Founded | 8 January 1488 |
Country | Kingdom of the Netherlands |
Type | Navy |
Size | 7,508 Active military personnel (2021) [1]
19 helicopters: NH-90 |
Part of | Armed forces of the Netherlands |
Headquarters | Den Helder |
Motto(s) | Veiligheid op en vanuit zee Security on and from the sea. |
March | Defileermars der Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy Service Marchpast) |
Engagements | Eighty Years' War Dutch–Portuguese War Anglo-Dutch Wars War of the Spanish Succession War of the Quadruple Alliance French Revolutionary Wars World War II Indonesian National Revolution Korean War Battle of Arafura Sea |
Commanders | |
Commander | Vice-Admiral René Tas |
Deputy commander | Rear admiral Huub Hulsker |
Notable commanders | Michiel de Ruyter, Piet Hein, Maarten Tromp |
Insignia | |
Flag | |
Naval ensign | |
Naval jack | |
Pennant | |
Logo | |
Aircraft flown | |
Patrol | NH90 |
The Royal Netherlands Navy (Dutch: Koninklijke Marine) is the naval force of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. [2] It is one of the four Netherlands Armed Forces. [3] It was founded on 8 January 1488, [4] making it the third oldest naval force in the world.
During the 17th century, the navy of the Dutch Republic (1581–1795) was one of the most powerful naval forces in the world and played an active role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars, the Franco-Dutch War, and wars against Spain and several other European powers. The Batavian Navy of the later Batavian Republic (1795–1806) and Kingdom of Holland (1806–1810) played an active role in the Napoleonic Wars, though mostly dominated by French interests.
After the establishment of the modern Kingdom of the Netherlands, it served an important role in protecting Dutch colonial rule, especially in Southeast Asia, and would play a minor role in World War II, especially against the Imperial Japanese Navy. Since World War II, the Royal Netherlands Navy has taken part in expeditionary peacekeeping operations. It often participates in European Union and NATO operations.
An international prefix for ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy is HNLMS (His/Her Netherlands Majesty's Ship). [5] [ better source needed ] The Netherlands navy itself uses the prefixes Zr.Ms. (Dutch : Zijner Majesteits, lit. 'His Majesty's') when a King is on the throne, and Hr.Ms. (Dutch : Harer Majesteits, lit. 'Her Majesty's') when there is a Queen. This happens automatically at end of the monarch's reign. [6]
The modern Netherlands Navy dates its founding to a "statute of admiralty" issued by Maximilian, King of the Romans and his son Philip the Fair, the ruler of Burgundian lands (a minor at that time) on 8 January 1488. [7] [lower-alpha 1]
The Netherlands navy was involved in several wars against other European powers from the late 16th century, initially for independence against Spain in European waters, later for shipping lanes, trade and colonies in many parts of the world, notably in four Anglo-Dutch wars against England. During the 17th century the Dutch navy was one of the most powerful navies in the world. As an organization, the navy of the Dutch Republic consisted of five separate admiralties (three of them in Holland, and one each in Friesland and Zeeland), each with its own ships, personnel, shipyards, command structures and revenues. [8]
At the start of WW2 the Dutch had five cruisers, eight destroyers, 24 submarines, and smaller vessels, along with 50 aircraft. The Netherlands was conquered in 1940 by Nazi Germany in a matter of days, and two Dutch light cruisers and one destroyer leader and three destroyers that were under construction were captured in their shipyard.
For the rest of the war, the Dutch navy was based in Allied countries: the Dutch navy had its headquarters in London, and smaller units in Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka) and Western Australia. Around the world Dutch naval units were responsible for transporting troops, for example during Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk and on D-Day, they escorted convoys and attacked enemy targets. Dutch submarines scored some victories, including one on a Kriegsmarine U-boat U-95 in the Mediterranean Sea, which was sunk by O 21, but during the war the Dutch Navy suffered heavy losses, particularly in the Pacific Theatre.
A small force of submarines based in Western Australia sank more Japanese ships in the first weeks after Japan joined the war than the entire British and American navies together during the same period, an exploit which earned Admiral Helfrich the nickname "Ship-a-day Helfrich". [9] The aggressive pace of operations against the Japanese was a contributing factor to both the heavy losses sustained and the greater number of successes scored as compared to the British and Americans in the region.
But during the relentless Japanese offensive of February through April 1942 in the Dutch East Indies, the Dutch navy in Asia was virtually annihilated, particularly in the Battle of the Java Sea (27 February 1942) in which the commander, Karel Doorman, went down with his fleet along with 1,000 sailors. The Navy sustained losses of a total of 20 ships (including two of its three light cruisers) and 2,500 sailors killed in the course of the campaign. [10] The Dutch navy had suffered from years of underfunding and came ill-prepared to face an enemy with more and heavier ships with better weapons, including the Long Lance-torpedo, with which the cruiser Haguro sank the light cruiser HNLMS De Ruyter. [11]
After the war, the relations between the Netherlands and its colonies changed dramatically. The establishment of the Republic of Indonesia, two days after the Japanese surrender, thwarted the Dutch plans for restoring colonial authority. After four years of conflict the Netherlands acknowledged the independence of Indonesia.
Part of the Dutch Navy was next stationed in Netherlands New Guinea until that, too, was turned over to the Indonesian government in 1962. This followed a campaign of infiltrations by the Indonesian National Armed Forces, supported by modern equipment from the Soviet Union, that was nevertheless successfully repulsed by the Dutch navy. These infiltrations took place after the order of President Sukarno to integrate the territory as an Indonesian province.
The Navy has participated in joint European Union naval operations and exercises. Ten separate Dutch vessels have contributed to the EU Naval Force Operation Atalanta, combating Somali piracy forces in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean since 2009. The last vessel was sent in 2018; since then the Navy has only contributed staff and advisors to the mission. [12] [13]
With the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the military focus was on the army and air force; it was not until the Korean War (1950–53) that the navy got more recognition. The government allowed the creation of a balanced fleet consisting of two naval squadrons. Apart from the aircraft carrier HNLMS Karel Doorman the Dutch navy consisted of two light cruisers (two De Zeven Provinciën class), 12 destroyers (four Holland class, eight Friesland class), eight submarines, six frigates (van Speijk-class frigates), and a considerable number of minesweepers.
As a member of NATO, the Netherlands developed its security policy in close cooperation with other members. The establishment of the Warsaw pact in 1955 intensified the arms race between West and East. Technical innovations rapidly emerged, the introduction of radar and sonar were followed by nuclear weapon systems and long-range missiles. The geopolitical situation allowed for a fixed military strategy. Beginning in 1965, the Dutch Navy joined certain permanent NATO squadrons like the Standing Naval Force Atlantic.
The constituent parts of the Royal Netherlands Navy are:
Contains all surface combatants, replenishment ships, and amphibious support ships.
Houses the submarines and a support vessel.
Contains various minehunters.
The Dienst der Hydrografie (Hydrographic Service) is responsible for relevant hydrographic surveys.
Two squadrons equipped with NH90 helicopter based at De Kooy Airfield.
Although the Netherlands Coastguard is not an official part of the Navy, it is under its operational control. Also the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard is under the operational control of the Navy and is commanded by the commander of the Navy in the Caribbean.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Coastguard Base | In service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patrol Aircraft | |||||
Bombardier Dash 8 MPA | Canada | SAR / patrol | Schiphol - The Netherlands | 2 [14] | |
Bombardier Dash 8 MPA | Canada | SAR / patrol | HATO - Curaçao Dutch Caribbean | 2 | |
AgustaWestland AW169 | Italy | SAR / transport | HATO - Curaçao Dutch Caribbean | 2 | |
AgustaWestland AW189 | Italy | SAR | Den Helder & Midden Zeeland - The Netherlands | 3 [15] | operated by Bristow Group |
The main naval base is in Den Helder, North Holland. Secondary naval bases are in Amsterdam, Vlissingen and Willemstad (Curaçao). Netherlands Marine Corps barracks are in Rotterdam, Doorn, Suffisant on Curaçao, and Savaneta on Aruba.
Officers of the Nederland Navy are trained at the Royal Naval Institute (Koninklijk Instituut voor de Marine), which is part of the Netherlands defence academy (Nederlandse Defensie Academie) in Den Helder. [16] Around 100–120 people start training every year.
The Royal Netherlands Navy currently operates 7 main classes of vessels: Note: in the Royal Netherlands Navy frigates are interchangeable with destroyers as there is no separate class
Type ship | Defensenote 1974 | Defensenote 1984 | Priority Document 1993 | Navy study 2005 | Economize 2011 | Defensenote 2018 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LC frigates | 4 | 4 | 4 | |||
M frigates | 4 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
GW frigates | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
L frigates | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||
S frigates | 12 | 10 | 6 | |||
MLM frigates | 6 | |||||
Frigates | 25 | 22 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Patrol ships | 4 | 4 | 4 | |||
Submarine | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Supply ships | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
LPD | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
JSS | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
Minehunters | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
Minesweepers | 11 | 11 | ||||
Total ships | 59 | 56 | 40 | 28 | 23 | 24 |
LRMP Aircraft | 21 | 13 | 13 | |||
Helicopters | 36 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Total aircraft | 57 | 43 | 33 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
The Royal Netherlands Navy classifies the De Zeven Provinciën-class as frigates, but internationally they are most comparable to destroyers (due to their size and weapon capability) platform for Sea Based Anti-Ballistic Missile defence
Since the retirement of the Westland Lynx, the Royal Netherlands Air Force fills the gap of the Lynx's amphibious task with Airbus AS-532U2 Cougar helicopters. The Cougar's main task is to support the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps on board of the LPD's and JSS. Other tasks are to provide Medical air transport to and from these ships, but also support SOF units in amphibious missions and trainings.
In 2012 an Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter from the Royal Netherlands Air Force made a deck landing on board HNLMS Rotterdam for the first time as part of an initial study into the possibilities for wider use of the helicopters as these will be upgraded to the AH-64E standard which has specific features for maritime operations.
The Dutch amphibious support ship HNLMS Johan de Witt and the HNLMS Karel Doorman JSS are designed to handle Royal Netherlands Air Force CH-47F Chinook helicopters but still require additional anti corrosion measures (part of the ongoing upgrade of the CH-47F).
Name | Origin | Type | Number | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Defenture VECTOR | Netherlands | Multipurpose wheeled vehicle | 75 | Used by Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces. [19] | |
DAF YAM 4442 | Netherlands | Truck | Unknown | Phased replacement with new Scania trucks. | |
Bushmaster | Australia | Infantry mobility vehicle | 20 | ||
Leopard 1 BARV | Germany Netherlands | Beach armoured recovery vehicle | 4 | Recovery vehicle built on a Leopard 1 tank. | |
Bv 206S | Sweden | Armoured personnel carrier | 96 | 156 originally purchased. 96 vehicles have been given a mid-life update, the rest of the vehicles have been cannibalised, sold or disposed of. | |
BvS10 | Sweden | Armoured personnel carrier | 74 | 74 vehicles in use. 46 personnel carriers, 20 command vehicles, 4 recovery vehicles and 4 ambulances. The Vikings are part of the Armoured All Terrain Vehicle (AATV) Troops. | |
Scania R-series | Sweden | Palletized Load System | Unknown | Various versions in use. | |
DMV Anaconda 4x4 | Italy Netherlands | Off-road vehicle | 60 | Non-armoured vehicle based on an Iveco Daily chassis, modified by Dutch Military Vehicles (DMV) for use by marines. 46 vehicles in use in the Dutch Caribbean, 14 vehicles in use with the Anti-Armour Troop. | |
Volkswagen Amarok | Germany | Off-road vehicle | 194 | Non-armoured vehicles, replacement of the Mercedes-Benz 290GD. | |
Land Rover Defender 110XD | United Kingdom | Off-road vehicle | 140 | Non-armoured vehicle, to be replaced by new armoured vehicles in 2023. |
In 2023 the fleet of the Royal Netherlands Navy consists of these ships:
Class | Photo | Type | Number | Dates | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Walrus class | Submarine | 3 | 1994 | Multi-purpose diesel-electric powered hunter-killer submarines for deep ocean, brown water & special forces operations. SLEP 2015–2019, two being phased out early (Walrus decommissioned in 2023); entire class to be replaced by 4 new subs starting in 2034. [20] [21] [22] [23] | |
De Zeven Provinciën class | Frigate | 4 | 2002 | Mainly anti-air warfare with BMD capability with extensive command & communication facilities. | |
Karel Doorman class | Frigate | 2 | 1994 | 8 initially built for the Royal Netherlands Navy, pairs of ships subsequently sold to the Belgian, Portuguese and Chilean navies. Belgian and Dutch M-Class frigates recently received extensive upgrades such as an extended helicopter deck and new advanced sensors and improvements in stealthiness. Will be replaced in Dutch- & Belgian Navy in 2028–2030 | |
Holland class | Offshore patrol vessel | 4 | 2011 | Ocean patrols | |
Alkmaar class | Minehunter | 5 | 1989 | Originally a class of 15 ships, will be replaced starting 2025 [24] 2 will be donated to Ukraine Navy in 2024 and 2025 | |
Karel Doorman class | Joint logistic support ship | 1 | 2014 | Combined amphibious operations/seabased helicopter platform & fleet replenishing, capable of supporting CH-47/AH-64/NH-90 operations | |
Rotterdam & Johan de Witt class | Landing platform dock | 2 | 1998/2007 | Troop & equipment transport, helicopter platform with command & communication & hospital facilities. | |
Cerberus class | Diving support vessel | 4 | 1992 | Multi-purpose diving support vessels & harbour protection, will be replaced by 2026 | |
Soemba class | Diving support vessel | 1 | 1989 | Diving training- & support vessel, will be replaced 2026 | |
Pelikaan class | Multi-purpose logistic support vessel | 1 | 2006 | Multi-purpose logistic & amphibious support vessel based in Dutch Caribbean, will be replaced in 2030 | |
Mercuur class | Submarine support vessel | 1 | 1987 | Submarine support vessel & MCM command, upgraded in 2017 and will be replaced in 2028 | |
Snellius class | Hydrographic survey vessel | 2 | 2004 | Multi-purpose hydrographic survey vessel, will be replaced in 2030 | |
Van Kinsbergen Training Vessel | Training Vessel | 1 | 1999 | Training vessel, will be replaced in 2026 | |
Geosea | Mine countermeasures vessel | 1 | 2020 | Civilian ship that the RNN leased from the company N-Sea to test, and make personnel familiar with, components of the new Mine Countermeasures-toolbox that will be used on the future Vlissingen class. [25] [26] [27] | |
Damen StanPatrol 2005 | Training & Patrol | 3 | 2014 | Multifunctional ships | |
Noordzee class | Coastal & Harbour Tug | 3 | 2016 | Damen ASD2810 Hybrid |
The total tonnage will be approx. 140,000 tonnes. Next to these ships a lot of other smaller vessels remain in the navy.
With these changes the Royal Netherlands Navy will have 10 large oceangoing vessels ranging from medium/low to high combat action ships. The renewed Dutch Navy will be a green-water navy, having enough frigates and auxiliaries to operate far out at sea, while depending on land-based air support, and, with the large amphibious squadron, they will have significant brown-water navy capabilities.
In April 2018, the Dutch Government approved a multi-year investment program and allocated funds for the 2018–2030 period, including;
Together with the United States and several other NATO members, the Dutch Navy is testing and updating its ships for Tactical ballistic missile defense capability. Although tests conducted concerning the capability of the APAR (Active Phased Array Radar) have been very successful, in 2018 the Dutch Government approved plans to acquire the SM-3 missiles for integration into the existing weapon suite of the LCF frigates. The four LCF ships will be fitted out with eight SM-3 missiles each (they are provisioned for this VLS extension) through Foreign Military Sales (under discussion between the US and The Netherlands).
Surviving historic ships
NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) | Student officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal Netherlands Navy [40] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Luitenant-Admiraal | Vice-Admiraal | Schout-bij-Nacht | Commandeur | Kapitein ter zee | Kapitein-luitenant ter zee | Luitenant ter zee der 1ste klasse | Luitenant ter zee der 2de klasse oudste categorie | Luitenant ter zee der 2de klasse | Luitenant ter zee der 3de klasse | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abbreviation (stnd) | LAdm | VAdm | SBN | Cdr | KTZ | KLTZ | LTZ1 | LTZ2OC | LTZ2 | LTZ3 | SgtADB | KplADB | ADB |
NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal Netherlands Navy [40] | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjudant onderofficer/ Opperschipper | Sergeant-majoor / Schipper | Sergeant / Bootsman | Korporaal / Kwartiermeester | Matroos/ Marinier der 1e klasse | Matroos/ Marinier der 2e klasse | Matroos/ Marinier der 3e klasse |
The Netherlands Armed Forces are the military services of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The core of the armed forces consists of the four service branches: the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Royal Netherlands Army, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. The service branches are supplemented by various joint support organisations. In addition, local conscript forces exist on the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba (AruMil) and Curaçao (CurMil). These operate under the auspices of the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Netherlands Marine Corps. The armed forces are organisationally part of the Ministry of Defence.
HNLMS Van Speijk (F828) is the eighth and last ship in the Karel Doorman class of multi-purpose frigates, used by the Royal Netherlands Navy.
HNLMS Karel Doorman (R81) was a Colossus-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Netherlands Navy. Formerly the British ship HMS Venerable, she was sold to the Netherlands in 1948 as a light attack carrier. In 1960, she was involved in the decolonization conflict in Western New Guinea with Indonesia. In the mid 1960s, her role was changed to anti-submarine warfare carrier and only ASW aircraft and helicopters were carried. An engine room fire took her out of service in 1968. She was sold to Argentina in 1969 and renamed ARA Veinticinco de Mayo.
The Karel Doorman-class frigates are a series of eight multi-purpose vessels built for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Its namesake is Karel Doorman, a Dutch naval officer whose ship was struck by a Japanese torpedo in the battle of the Java Sea in 1942, and who, as a result of which, went down with his ship.
The Walrus-class submarine is the only submarine class currently in operation in the Royal Netherlands Navy. The boats have been in service since 1990 and are all named after sea mammals.
HNLMS Walrus (S802) was a Walrus-class submarine of the Royal Netherlands Navy. After a long delay following a serious fire during construction, the submarine entered service in 1992. Walrus was deployed both for naval exercises and in combat operations around the world. She was decommissioned in October 2023.
HNLMS Tromp (F803) is the second De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The ship was laid down in 1999, launched in 2001, and commissioned in 2003. The frigate is named after Dutch naval heroes Maarten Tromp (1598–1653) and Cornelis Tromp (1629–1691).
HNLMS De Ruyter is a De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate of the Royal Netherlands Navy. She was laid down in 2000, launched in 2002, and commissioned in 2004, the third ship of her class to enter service. The frigate is named after Dutch admiral Michiel de Ruyter (1607–1676).
HNLMS Karel Doorman is a multi-function support ship for amphibious operations of the Royal Netherlands Navy, which is also used by the German Navy. The ship replaced both of the navy's replenishment oilers: HNLMS Zuiderkruis and HNLMS Amsterdam. At 204.7 m she is the largest ship in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy.
HNLMS Rotterdam is the lead ship in the Rotterdam-class landing platform dock of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The ship is named after the Dutch city of Rotterdam.
HNLMS Johan de Witt is the second Rotterdam-class landing platform dock of the Royal Netherlands Navy. It is an improved design of Rotterdam, which was designed in conjunction between the Netherlands and Spain. The ship, displacing 16,800 tons, was launched on 13 May 2006. The motto of the ship is Ago Quod Ago, translated as I do what I do.
HNLMS Mercuur (A900) is a submarine support ship of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The ship was built and designed specially to support the Dutch submarines. She entered service on 21 August 1987, and is the only surface vessel attached to the Dutch submarine service.
HNLMS Zeeleeuw (S803) is a Walrus-class submarine of the Royal Netherlands Navy. She entered service in 1990 as the first submarine of the Walrus class, after the intended lead ship, HNLMS Walrus, was delayed for a long period following a serious fire during construction. Zeeleeuw has been deployed both for naval exercises and in combat operations around the world. Furthermore, the submarine plays an important role by performing intelligence operations. The submarine has undergone a mid-life maintenance and upgrade program between 2014 and 2016, and is currently in active service.
HNLMS Dolfijn (S808) is a Walrus-class submarine of the Royal Netherlands Navy. She entered service in 1993 as the third submarine of the Walrus class, after HNLMS Walrus and HNLMS Zeeleeuw. Dolfijn has been deployed both for naval exercises and in combat operations around the world. Furthermore, the submarine plays an important role by performing intelligence operations.
HNLMS Bruinvis (S810) is a Walrus-class submarine of the Royal Netherlands Navy. She entered service in 1994 as the fourth and final submarine of the Walrus class, after HNLMS Walrus, Zeeleeuw and Dolfijn. Bruinvis has been deployed both for naval exercises and in combat operations around the world. As of December 2015 the submarine was in active service.
In April 2018, the Dutch Government approved a multi-year investment program for the Dutch Navy and allocated funds for the 2018–2030 period. The Dutch Defence Materiel Administration (DMO) is in charge of the procurement of these new ships.
HNLMS Den Helder is a new replenishment oiler under construction for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Also known as the Combat Support Ship (CSS), Den Helder is planned to fill the gap of replenishment at sea that was left after HNLMS Amsterdam was sold to Peru in 2014.
The Rotterdam class are two landing platform dock (LPD) ships in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy. Built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding at Vlissingen, their mission is to carry out amphibious warfare by transporting the bulk of the Korps Mariniers. These ships have both a large helicopter flight deck and a well deck for large landing craft, as well as space for up to 33 main battle tanks.
The Snellius class are two hydrographic survey vessel (HOV) ships in service with the hydrographic branch of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The ships were built by the Damen Group, with the hull being built in Romania by Damen Shipyards Galați and the fitting out in the Netherlands by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding.