Royal Netherlands Navy

Maritime Forces

The Royal Netherlands Navy is the maritime and amphibious element of the armed forces. It employs approximatly 11,000 personnel of which about 10,000 are military and the remainder civilian. The highest ranking officer in the Navy is the Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy, who reports directly to the Chief of the Netherlands Defence Staff. The main naval base of the navy is in Den Helder. The Navy provides peace and security at and from the sea. The main tasks of the Navy are:

Protecting the territory of the Kingdom and NATO

Maintaining the freedom of the seas

Protection an support of Dutch interests, anywhere in the world

Upholding the international rule of law and protecting human rights

Providing support to civil authorities regarding law enforcement, disaster relief and humanitarian aid, both at home and abroad.

This includes protecting shipping routes, search and rescue operations, countering illegal trade in weapons and drugs, clearing mines, patrolling coastal waters, supporting land operations by supplying ammunitions, food and water, gathering intelligence, providing medical assistance and providing fire support.

Marine Corps

The Marine Corps is a rapid reaction force and can be deployed in all environments, anywhere in the world. The Marine Corps consist of approximatly 2,800 marines. The marines are trained in various training programs for deployment in all kinds of environments, communications, providing fire support, physical training and sports, diving and coping with nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. Marines are also trained for deployment by means of helicopter, plane, submarine or landing crafts. Individuals can specialise into one of many specialisations including specialisations in weapons or mountaineering. The Corps has various elite special forces units that are specialized in operations at and from sea. Special operations include boarding operations, reconnaissance missions, disabling military targets and counter-terrorism.

Ships

Frigates

4 Air-Defence and Command Frigates (LCF)

2 M-class Multi-Purpose Frigates

Ships

6 Tripartite-class Minehunters

4 Walrus-class Submarines

4 Diver Support Vessels

2 Landing Platform Docks or Amphibious Warfare Ships

2 Hydrographic Survey Vessels

1 Support Vessel HNLMS Pelikaan

1 Torpedo Training Ship HNLMS Mercuur

1 Training Ship with second bridge MOV van Kinsbergen

Landing Crafts

Coast Guard Ships

	Frigates
4	Air-Defence and Command Frigates (LCF)
2	M-class Multi-Purpose Frigates
	Ships
6	Tripartite-class Minehunters
4	Walrus-class Submarines
4	Diver Support Vessels
2	Landing Platform Docks or Amphibious Warfare Ships
2	Hydrographic Survey Vessels
1	Support Vessel HNLMS Pelikaan
1	Torpedo Training Ship HNLMS Mercuur
1	Training Ship with second bridge MOV van Kinsbergen
	Landing Crafts
	Coast Guard Ships