Royal Netherlands Navy
The Royal Netherlands Navy (Dutch: Koninklijke Marine) is the naval force of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is one of the four Netherlands Armed Forces. It was founded on 8 January 1488, making it the third oldest naval force in the world.
| Royal Netherlands Navy | |
|---|---|
| Koninklijke Marine | |
Emblem of the Royal Netherlands Navy | |
| Founded | 8 January 1488 |
| Country | Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| Type | Navy |
| Size | 7,508 Active military personnel (2021)
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 |
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.