Royal Netherlands Navy
The Royal Netherlands Navy (Koninklijke Marine) is the navy of the Netherlands.
It was founded on 10 December, 1665, as the "Regiment de Marine", following a concept resolution by Johan de Witt and Michiel de Ruyter which was presented to the parliament (Staten-Generaal) of the United Provinces in August 1665.
The names of the ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy are prefixed with "Hr.Ms." (Her Majesty's or Hare Majesteit's in Dutch).
The highest rank in the Navy, that of full (5 star) admiral, is reserved for "Hij die zich koning der Nederlanden mag noemen" (He who may call himself King of The Netherlands), i.e. without a King in power, the rank of admiral would be suspended until a new king has been coronated. In the other services of the Dutch military, Army & Air Force, a 5-star rank does not exist. The famous Michiel de Ruyter was a lieutenant-admiral (4 star). The rank of lieutenant-admiral is nowadays reserved for the Chief of Defence Staff, a function which circulates between the Navy, Air Force and Army (Army and Air Force officers will become full Generals when being appointed to CDS). The rank of vice-admiral (3 star) is the most senior rank in use by commanding admirals in the RNLN.
Historic ships
Current structure
The constituent parts of the Royal Netherlands Navy are:
- Naval squadron:
- Frigates (fourteen ships in three classes).
- Amphibious Transport Ships (one in service and one planned).
- Replenishment Ships (two ships).
- Submarine service:
- Four submarines.
- One torpedo recovery ship.
- Netherlands Marine Corps
- Naval Air Service
- Mine Detection and Clearing Service
- Mine hunters.
- Four diving support vessels.
- Diving medical centre.
- Hydrographical Survey
- Two hydrographical survey ships.
- Other ships
- Two training ships.
- Five large tugs.
- Seven harbour tugs.
- Seventeen landing craft (Used by the Netherlands Marine Corps.)
- Belgian-Dutch naval squadron.
- Coast Guard (Although the Coast Guard is not part of the Navy, it is under its operational control.)
See also
