Editing Netherlands Armed Forces (section)

== Contemporary campaigns ==
{{See also|Military history of the Netherlands}}

Since the 1990s, the Dutch military has been involved in several military campaigns and peace-keeping missions, these include:
* [[Bosnian War]]
* [[Kosovo War]]
* [[International Security Assistance Force]] in Afghanistan leading the effort in [[Uruzgan Province]].
* [[Multinational force in Iraq]]
* [[United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali]]
* [[Combined Joint Task Force]]
* [[Resolute Support Mission]]

=== Afghanistan ===
==== Contribution to ISAF ====
{{Main|Task Force Uruzgan}}
As part of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]], the Netherlands deployed aircraft which were integrated in the European Participating Air Force (EPAF) in support of ground operations in [[Afghanistan]]. Additionally, Dutch naval frigates were tasked with policing the waters of the Middle East and Indian Ocean. 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 capital [[Kabul]].<ref>{{cite news |title=De opbouw van ISAF in Afghanistan sinds 2001 |url=https://www.parool.nl/nieuws/de-opbouw-van-isaf-in-afghanistan-sinds-2001~b65e3883d/ |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=Het Parool |date=30 July 2010}}</ref> Furthermore, military assistance was provided to the [[Afghan National Army]] and local security forces. The troops were deployed under the command of [[NATO]]'s [[International Security Assistance Force]] mission.

[[File:Dutch patrol Afghanistan August 2008.jpg|thumb|A patrol of Task Force Uruzgan moving towards an over-watch position near Mirabad Valley, in 2008.]]
The Netherlands deployed further troops and helicopters to Afghanistan in 2006 as part of a new security operation in the south of the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4673026.stm |title=More Dutch troops for Afghanistan |work=[[BBC News]] |date=3 February 2006 |access-date=7 June 2012}}</ref> In mid-2006, Dutch special forces of the [[Korps Commandotroepen]] as part of the Deployment Task Force successfully deployed to [[Tarin Kowt]] to lay the ground for the increasing numbers of [[Combat engineer|engineers]] who were due to build a base there.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dimitriu |first1=G.R. |last2=Tuinman |first2=G.P. |last3=van der Vorm |first3=M. |title=Operationele ontwikkeling van de Nederlandse Special Operations Forces, 2005–2010 |trans-title=Operational development of the Dutch Special Operations Forces, 2005–2010 |language=nl |date=2012 |volume=108 |issue=3 |url=https://www.militairespectator.nl/sites/default/files/uitgaven/inhoudsopgave/MS%203-2012%20Van%20der%20Vorm%20Nederlandse%20Special%20Operations%20Forces.pdf |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> By August 2006 the Netherlands had deployed the majority of 1,400 troops to [[Uruzgan]] province in southern Afghanistan at [[Multi National Base Tarin Kot|Kamp Holland]] in [[Tarinkot|Tarin Kowt]] (1,200) and Kamp Hadrian in [[Deh Rahwod]] (200).<ref name="uruz">{{cite web |title=Eindevaluatie Nederlandse bijdrage aan ISAF, 2006 – 2010 |trans-title=Final evaluation of the Dutch contribution to ISAF, 2006 – 2010 |language=nl |url=https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/detail?id=2011Z18859&did=2011D46975 |website=www.tweedekamer.nl |publisher=Cabinet of the Netherlands |access-date=5 May 2020 |date=28 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Derksen |first1=Sebastiaan |title=De Nederlandse missie in Uruzgan: 'COIN gekortwiekt?' |trans-title=The Dutch mission in Uruzgan: 'COIN trimmed?' |language=nl |url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/31900/EINDTHESIS%20DERKSEN%20S1073656.pdf?sequence=1 |access-date=5 May 2020 |publisher=[[Universiteit Leiden]]}}</ref> [[PzH 2000]] self-propelled artillery pieces were deployed and used in combat for the first time.<ref name="chora" /> The Dutch forces operated under the command of the [[ISAF]] [[Task Force Uruzgan]] and were involved in some of the more intensive [[Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2006|combat operations]] in southern Afghanistan, including [[Operation Medusa]] and the [[Battle of Chora]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Nederlanders vochten mee in operatie Medusa |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/nederlanders-vochten-mee-in-operatie-medusa~b7edf0e0/ |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=De Volkskrant |agency=ANP |date=15 September 2006}}</ref><ref name="chora">{{cite journal |last1=Vrijsen |first1=Eric |title=Het gevecht om Chora |journal=[[Elsevier (magazine)|Elsevier]] |date=5 January 2008 |volume=1 |url=https://cdn.prod.elseone.nl/uploads/2018/06/Chora.pdf |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> On 18 April 2008, on the second day of his command, the son of ''then''-[[Chief of Defence (Netherlands)|Chief of Defence]] general [[Peter van Uhm]], Lieutenant Dennis van Uhm, was one of two servicemen killed by a road-side explosion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Son of Top Dutch General Is Killed in Afghanistan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/19/world/asia/19afghanistan.html |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |agency=Associated Press |date=19 April 2008}}</ref> As of 1 September 2008, the Netherlands had a total of 1,770 troops in Afghanistan excluding special forces troops.<ref>{{cite web |title=ISAF Key Fact and Figures Placemat |url=https://www.nato.int/isaf/placemats_archive/2008-09-01-ISAF-Placemat.pdf |website=www.nato.int |publisher=[[NATO]] |access-date=5 May 2020 |date=1 September 2008}}</ref>

Between 2002 and 2021, Dutch military personnel worked successively in the Afghan provinces of Kabul, Baghlan, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Kunduz and Balkh, with the aim, among other things, to bring stability and to build up the security apparatus, the army and the police.<ref>{{cite web |title=Afghanistan |url=https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/missie-in-afghanistan/einde-aan-missie-in-afghanistan|website=www.defensie.nl|date=19 May 2021 }}</ref>
In total, 25 Dutch servicemen were [[killed in action]] during the deployment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Afghanistan |url=https://www.veteraneninstituut.nl/missie/afghanistan/ |website=www.veteraneninstituut.nl |publisher=Veteraneninstituut |access-date=5 May 2020 |date=2 October 2014}}</ref>

==== Resolute Support Mission ====
From 2015 until 2021, approximately 160 Dutch troops of the [[Korps Commandotroepen]], [[NLMARSOF]] and multiple conventional support elements were deployed to the city of [[Mazar-e-Sharif]] as part of NATO's [[Resolute Support Mission]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Nederlandse bijdrage Resolute Support |url=https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/missie-in-afghanistan/resolute-support |website=www.defensie.nl |date=11 December 2018 |publisher=Ministerie van Defensie |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> Dutch troops co-operated with personnel of the German [[Kommando Spezialkräfte]] as part of the German-Dutch lead Special Operations Advisory Team (SOAT). The SOAT provided advice and assistance during operations of the Afghan [[police tactical unit]], the Afghan Territorial Force-888 (ATF-888).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Brasser |first1=Bianca |title=KCT mee met Afghanen: Shana ba shana |journal=Landmacht |date=7 May 2019 |volume=04 |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/landmacht/2019/04/04_kct_mee_met_afghanen_04-2019 |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> The SOAT was granted authority to deploy in the entirety of Afghanistan in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nederlandse commando's in heel Afghanistan |url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/3645074/nederlandse-commando-s-in-heel-afghanistan |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=[[De Telegraaf]] |date=24 May 2019}}</ref> The operations ended with the withdrawal of all United States and allied troops from Afghanistan in 2021.

=== Iraq ===
==== Multinational force in Iraq ====
A contingent of 1,345 Army and [[Netherlands Marine Corps|Marines Corps]] personnel, supported by [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] helicopters, was deployed to [[Iraq]] in 2003, based at Camp Smitty near [[Samawah|As Samawah]] (southern Iraq) with responsibility for the [[Muthanna Governorate|Muthanna]] Province, as part of the [[Multinational force in Iraq]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Nederlands aandeel inzet Irak |trans-title=Dutch contribution to Iraq deployment |language=nl |url=https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/historische-missies/missie-overzicht/2003/inzet-in-irak/nederlands-aandeel |website=www.defensie.nl |date=21 August 2018 |publisher=Ministerie van Defensie |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> On June 1, 2004, the Dutch government renewed their stay through 2005.<ref name="nimh" /> The Netherlands removed its troops from Iraq in March 2005, leaving half a dozen liaison officers until late 2005.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nederlandse missie in Irak officieel geëindigd |trans-title=Dutch mission in Iraq officially ended |language=nl |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/nederlandse-missie-in-irak-officieel-geeindigd~b33a6053/ |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=[[De Volkskrant]] |agency=ANP |date=7 March 2005}}</ref> The Netherlands lost two soldiers in separate attacks.<ref name="nimh">{{cite web |title=Inzet in Irak |trans-title=Deployment in Iraq |language=nl |url=https://www.defensie.nl/binaries/defensie/documenten/brochures/2009/05/01/inzet-in-irak/inzet-in-irak.pdf |website=www.defensie.nl |publisher=Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref>

==== Intervention against ISIL ====
{{Main|Dutch military intervention against ISIL}}
[[File:F16 Koninklijke Luchtmacht Air Task Force Middle East.jpg|thumb|The last Dutch F-16 detachment of Air Task Force Middle East returning home from Jordan.]]
On 24 September 2014, the [[Politics of the Netherlands|Dutch government]] announced its participation in the military campaign against [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]], and sent six [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 fighter jets]] to Iraq to bomb ISIL. Their motivations to join this war: ISIL's advance in Iraq and [[Syria]], while displaying "unprecedented violence" and "perpetrating terrible crimes against population groups", formed "a direct threat for that region"; ISIL's advance in Iraq and Syria "causes instability at the borders of [[Europe]]" which threatens "our own [Dutch] safety". Figures requested by {{lang|nl|[[RTL Nieuws]]}} in August 2015 showed that the [[Netherlands]] was among the most active countries within the coalition, third behind only the [[United States]] and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bombardementen IS: Nederland in top-3 actiefste landen |url=https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/artikel/848221/bombardementen-nederland-top-3-actiefste-landen |access-date=22 January 2021 |work=[[RTL Nieuws]] |date=14 August 2015}}</ref> In January 2016, the Netherlands extended their bombings of ISIL to Syrian territory. By the end of July 2016 the Dutch Air Task Force flew more than 2100 missions and carried out over 1800 air strikes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensie.nl/english/topics/iraq/contents/dutch-military-contribution |title=Dutch military contribution in Iraq |website=defensie.nl |access-date=9 June 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201172657/https://www.defensie.nl/english/topics/iraq/contents/dutch-military-contribution |archive-date=1 February 2017}}</ref> At the end of the Dutch contribution to the Air Task Force, in December 2018, the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] had flown over 3000 missions and conducted approximately 2100 air strikes.<ref>{{cite web |title=F-16-missie Midden-Oosten beëindigd |trans-title=F-16 Middle East mission ended |language=nl |url=https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2018/12/31/f-16-missie-midden-oosten-beeindigd |website=www.defensie.nl |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Netherlands)|Ministry of Defence]] |access-date=22 January 2021 |date=31 December 2018}}</ref>

From 2015 until the spring of 2018, KCT and NLMARSOF [[special operations forces]] deployed advice and assist teams to northern Iraq in cooperation with the Belgian [[Special Forces Group (Belgium)|Special Forces Group]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Nederland wil samen met België IS bekampen achter front in Irak |trans-title=The Netherlands wants to fight IS behind the front in Iraq together with Belgium |language=nl |url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20160909_02461193/nederland-wil-samen-met-belgie-isis-bekampen-achter-front-in-irak |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=[[Gazet van Antwerpen]] |date=9 September 2016}}</ref> During this deployment, they provided support to Kurdish [[Peshmerga]] and [[Iraqi Army]] forces before, during and after operations in the [[International military intervention against ISIL|battle against ISIL]], as part of the [[Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=van Langendonck |first1=Gert |title=Instructeurs leren geharde peshmerga beter schieten |url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2017/07/17/instructeurs-leren-geharde-peshmerga-beter-schieten-12131526-a1567020 |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=NRC Handelsblad |date=17 July 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Liberation_of_MS_Taipan.jpg|thumb|left|[[Westland Lynx|Lynx]] helicopter hovering over MV ''Taipan'' during the liberation operation, the boarding team rappelled onto one of the containers aboard the ship.]]

=== Counterpiracy ===
As a [[maritime nation]] and birthplace of the earliest [[Admiralty law|maritime law]], the Netherlands have historically highly valued the [[Mare Liberum|''mare liberum'']] principle. Hence, the Dutch government decided to contribute a significant amount of naval assets to combating [[piracy off the coast of Somalia]] since its most recent surge starting in 2005. The Royal Netherlands Navy was an active contributor to NATO's [[Operation Allied Protector]] and [[Operation Ocean Shield]], as well as to the [[European Union]]'s [[Operation Atalanta]]. Ships partaking in these missions included [[De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate|''De Zeven Provinciën''-class frigates]], [[Amphibious transport dock|landing platform docks]] [[HNLMS Rotterdam (L800)|HNLMS ''Rotterdam'']] and [[HNLMS Johan de Witt (L801)|HNLMS ''Johan de Witt'']], and submarines of the [[Walrus-class submarine|''Walrus''-class]]. Additionally, [[surface combatant]]s permanently carried [[Naval boarding|boarding teams]] of the [[Netherlands Marine Corps]]. These boarding parties were often composed of operators of the [[Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces]] (NLMARSOF). In addition, conventional marine units supply Vessel Protection Detachments (VPDs) which continue to guard Dutch merchant vessels during transits through piracy-prone waters as of 2021.

The Dutch naval forces were regularly engaged in combat. Firefights between the naval ships and Somali pirates have cost the lives of pirates on multiple occasions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Koelé |first1=Theo |title=Twee piraten gedood bij bevrijdingsactie marine |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/twee-piraten-gedood-bij-bevrijdingsactie-marine~b716361c/ |access-date=1 August 2021 |work=[[De Volkskrant]] |date=3 April 2011 |language=nl}}</ref> During the [[Action of 5 April 2010]], a boarding team of the [[M-Squadron|Unit Interventie Mariniers]] liberated [[container ship]] MV ''Taipan'' after rappelling down from [[HNLMS Tromp (F803)|HNLMS ''Tromp'']]'s helicopter onto containers on the ship's deck under the cover of machine gun fire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pirated German ship rescued – EU NAVFOR HNLMS Tromp retakes pirated MV Taipan |url=http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/04/pirated-german-ship-rescue-eu-navfor-hnmls-tromp-retakes-pirated-mv-taipan/ |publisher=EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office |access-date=1 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608093841/http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/04/pirated-german-ship-rescue-eu-navfor-hnmls-tromp-retakes-pirated-mv-taipan/ |archive-date=8 June 2010 |date=5 April 2010}}</ref> The successful operation was filmed with a helmet camera, the video footage reached worldwide [[news media]] and gained millions of views on [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Spektakuläres Video: Wie die Holländer ein deutsches Containerschiff befreiten - SPIEGEL TV |language=de |trans-title=Spectacular video: How the Dutch liberated a German container ship - SPIEGEL TV |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa4KMJRkQds |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Xa4KMJRkQds |archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher=[[Der Spiegel (website)|Der Spiegel]] |access-date=1 August 2021 |date=4 May 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Moreover, NLMARSOF [[Frogman|frogmen]] have successfully conducted sabotage operations of pirates' [[Mother ship|motherships]] by clandestinely attaching explosives to the ships' [[bilge]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Kikvorsmannen onderscheiden voor saboteren piratenschepen |trans-title=Frogmen awarded for sabotaging pirate ships |language=nl |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2310276-kikvorsmannen-onderscheiden-voor-saboteren-piratenschepen |access-date=1 August 2021 |work=[[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|NOS]] |date=13 November 2019}}</ref>

=== Mali ===
[[File:Fennek patrouille Mali.jpg|thumb|Dutch forces patrolling the plains north of [[Gao]] using [[Fennek]] reconnaissance vehicles.]]
Special forces of the [[Korps Commandotroepen]] were deployed to [[Mali]] since 2014 as part of the UN mission [[United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali|MINUSMA]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=de Ridder |first1=Marlous |title=Commando's welkom in Gao: Special Forces nog nooit zo in de openbaarheid |journal=Landmacht |date=10 June 2014 |volume=05 |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/landmacht/2014/05/artikel-mali-repo |access-date=2 May 2020}}</ref> The primary task of the Dutch forces was to gather intelligence on local Islamist and rebel groups and to protect the people of Mali against said groups.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kuijl |first1=Wouter |title=De All-Sources Information Fusion Unit in Mali en de Dutch Approach |journal=Militaire Spectator |date=23 January 2019 |volume=188 |issue=1 |url=https://www.militairespectator.nl/thema/operaties/artikel/de-all-sources-information-fusion-unit-mali-en-de-dutch-approach |access-date=2 May 2020}}</ref> Since 2016, conventional detachments consisting of [[11th Airmobile Brigade (Netherlands)|11 Air Assault Brigade]] and [[13th Light Brigade (Netherlands)|13 Light Brigade]] troops were part of the MINUSMA rotations as well. Additionally, the Dutch contribution consisted of a RNLAF [[AH-64 Apache]] and [[CH-47 Chinook]] detachment which provided the necessary air support and transport for the infantry units on the ground.

On 16 March 2015, a Dutch AH-64D Apache [[attack helicopter]] of the Dutch MINUSMA air detachment crashed during a firing exercise, killing the two pilots.<ref>{{cite web |title=2 Apache pilots killed in Mali |url=https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2015/03/17/2-apache-pilots-killed-in-mali |website=government.nl |publisher=Government of the Netherlands |access-date=3 August 2021 |date=17 March 2015}}</ref> On 6 July 2016, two servicemen of 11 Air Assault Brigade were killed during a mortar-firing exercise, while a third serviceman was severely wounded.<ref>{{cite news |title=Militairen Luchtmobiele Brigade sluiten missie in Mali af |language=nl |trans-title=Airmobile Brigade soldiers close mission in Mali |url=https://www.rtvdrenthe.nl/nieuws/146864/Militairen-Luchtmobiele-Brigade-sluiten-missie-in-Mali-af |access-date=2 May 2020 |work=[[RTV Drenthe]] |date=28 April 2019}}</ref> The incident lead to the resignation of the [[Ministry of Defence (Netherlands)|minister of Defence]] [[Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert]] and [[Chief of Defence (Netherlands)|Chief of Defence]] General [[Tom Middendorp]] after a critical report by the [[Dutch Safety Board]] found that the safety standards were subpar.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dutch minister resigns over deaths of Mali peacekeepers |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41498523 |access-date=2 May 2020 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=4 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mortierongeval Mali |language=nl |trans-title=Mortar accident Mali |url=https://www.onderzoeksraad.nl/nl/page/4401/mortierongeval-mali |publisher=Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid (Dutch Safety Board) |access-date=2 May 2020 |date=28 September 2017}}</ref> The Netherlands ended their sizable contribution to the peacekeeping mission in May 2019 to send additional troops to Afghanistan instead.<ref>{{cite news |last1=van 't Einde |first1=Tom |title=Missie in Mali voorbij, militairen terug naar Nederland |trans-title=Mission in Mali over, soldiers back to the Netherlands |language=nl |url=https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/item/missie-in-mali-voorbij-militairen-terug-naar-nederland/ |access-date=2 May 2020 |work=[[EenVandaag]] |publisher=AVROTROS |date=1 May 2019}}</ref>