Royal Netherlands Navy

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 admiral, is reserved for the Queen of the Netherlands, i.e. without the Queen, no rank of admiral would exist. The famous Michiel de Ruyter was a lieutenant-admiral, a rank that does not exist in the current Navy, but corresponds with the rank of vice-admiral, the highest rank of the Navy in practical terms.

Table of contents

1 Historic ships 2 Current structure 3 See also 4 External Link

Historic ships

• HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen
• HNLMS De Ruyter
• HNLMS Jacob van Heemskerk
• HNLMS Java
• HNLMS Tromp

• 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.)

• Ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy

• Royal Netherlands Navy homepage (In Dutch.)