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For more than 30 years, the defense policy of the Netherlands has been based upon the integration of most of its armed forces with those of its NATO allies. During the 1950s, Holland’s defense apparatus was built up, aided in part by the United States Mutual Defense and Aid Program.
Nowadays, the Royal Netherlands Navy makes a real contribution to the allied naval effort. It contributes to deterrence and crisis management at sea, and— in the event of aggression—to the security of the eastern part of the Atlantic, English Channel, and North Sea. These areas are where the principal supply lines from the United States to Western Europe merge. Rotterdam is the center through which most supplies for the Netherlands and West Germany must pass, including
The auxiliary ship Poolster, shown refueling two “Standard”-class frig ates, can become a lethal weapon against enemy subs when equipped with up to five ASW helicopters.
ROYAL NETHERLANDS NAVY
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reinforcements and war materials. Needless to say, it is vital to the allies that the approaches to Rotterdam remain open.
In this context, it can easily be understood that antisubmarine warfare is an important mission for the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Other missions include search and rescue, fishery protection, and hydrography. The navy also assists in U. N. peacekeeping operations; for this purpose, a contingent of marines, a combat support ship with helicopters, and several other ships can be deployed anywhere in the world on short notice.
Modem naval warfare requires a high- grade material effort against anticipated threats. For a single surface ship, this is practically impossible. Therefore, the Royal Netherlands Navy collaborates with allied ships and maritime patrol aircraft; it carries out continuous and intensive reconnaissance operations against possible threats to maritime lines of communication. By following the movements of the Warsaw Pact naval forces, it is possible to discover where and to what extent political pressure with maritime units can
ing quickly, and of operating at long tances from their home bases. In the c text of crisis management, ships permanent NATO squadrons (frigateS j the Standing Naval Force Atlantic, mine countermeasure ships in the SW ing Naval Force Channel). Naval units 'j including amphibious units of the R°y Netherlands Marine Corps trained action in the Arctic—are part of the J° forces which can be deployed quickly the event of a crisis.
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The Royal Netherlands Navy has so® 17,000 service personnel and 6,500 c>vl ians in its employ. Although the Net ® lands armed forces in general are 1®? dependent on national servicemen (c scripts), 85% of naval personnel are v unteers. To simplify training, the c organization in new ships has been duced from about 70 specializations four divisions; operational, weapon- electronic, engineering, and logistic (P a branch for special skills). Operati°n,^ weapons-electronic
en Helder, and the engineering and lo- ®'stic schools are in Amsterdam. Young en and women undergo officer training the Royal Naval College in Den e|der, for the previously mentioned four ea'egories, and for the marines.
A new development in the Royal Neth- tands Navy is that women are being in- grated with their male colleagues for th shore and seagoing duties. The first *P actively involved in this develop- thent—a cornt,at support ship—has been Sading for more than two years with a namber of women on board. In the light
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The arrival of modem equipment and acc°mpanying infrastructure demands a c°nsiderable effort on the part of person- n®h especially since there is already a Shortage of qualified personnel. The sea-going/shore-based” ratio of person- "el *s closely watched. Manpower, in act> is one of the key problems facing the °yal Netherlands Navy. These days, ®Wer men—especially in the weapons- ectronic and engineering divisions—are filing to spend time away from home, an(i it is not possible in the short time available to train national servicemen for many of the seagoing posts.
New developments in recruitment in- ..de short service engagements of either
^"h higher educational qualifications nan in the past. In due course, such ac- •ons may alleviate the personnel shortage. But until then, efficiency in ship £sign will continue to influence the ch°ice of hulls ordered under Holland’s e*tensive naval reequipment program.
Equipment plans for the 1981-91 time fame not only provide for replacement a°d modernization of operational forces, ut also for the introduction of other types of ships and aircraft. The plans aim at having a balanced fleet, bearing in mind the requirements and financial resources of allies. Efforts made to strengthen the Royal Netherlands Navy arise from NATO recommendations, such as the long-term defense program. This renovation program is attuned to the maritime threat which can be expected in the navy’s principal operating areas.
At the end of the planning period, the Royal Netherlands Navy will have at its disposal two escort groups for the Eastern Atlantic and one escort group for the Channel—totalling some 20 frigates and three combat support ships in all. For the North Sea, there is a provision for one escort group of several multipurpose frigates. Thus, the navy’s main fleet will consist of two guided missile frigates and two air defense frigates with command facilities, ten “Standard” frigates, and six Van Speijk class frigates, while a number of multipurpose frigates are being ordered to replace older hulls in due time.
The “Standard” frigates constitute the navy’s main building project. The Van Speijk class will be equipped with a weapon and command system nearly identical to that of the “Standard” frigates, while the multipurpose frigates will be standardized as much as possible. All these ships have been—or are being— designed by the Royal Netherlands Navy in cooperation with the Netherlands United Shipbuilding Bureau, while their construction is being carried out by Dutch industry.
Antisubmarine warfare and air defense capabilities are receiving the most attep- tion. They will be geared to rapid response, and upgraded with sensors and weapons that take advantage of improvements in electronics. This includes refinements in detection equipment, as well
A contingent of Royal Netherlands Marines, such as these seen on maneuvers in Puerto Rico, stands ready to be deployed anywhere in the world on short notice.
as emphasis on computerization.
In addition to the surface ships, long- range maritime patrol aircraft have an important role in reconnaissance and antisubmarine warfare for the escort groups. In view of this, the P-2 Neptunes are being replaced by modem P-3C Orion (Update II) patrol aircraft. Twenty-four Lynx helicopters have also been procured for use on board frigates, combat support ships, and with the shore-based squadron. The procurement of heavier ship- borne helicopters is being considered.
Owing to the increasingly serious air threat, it is necessary for the frigates and combat support ships to have a very short-range air defense system. This has been a subject of study for several years, and plans have now been prepared. Moreover, the Dutch Government has recently decided to build two air defense frigates, which will also have command facilities.
To counter the threat of mines in the North Sea and adjacent waters, a new type of polyester mine countermeasure vessel has been developed, in close cooperation with France and Belgium. The older minesweepers are being replaced by 15 of these modem units.
For the submarine service, two conventional oceangoing attack submarines are under construction, intended to replace two older submarines during the second half of the planning period. Plans to modernize the two Zwaardvis-class submarines are also being considered. Thus, the submarine service will remain at six conventional attack submarines by the end of the 1980s.
Plans also provide for the mid-life modernization of the frigates built in the 1970s; mid-life modernization of the Van Speijk-class frigates has already been completed.
The Royal Netherlands Navy is undergoing a thorough renovation, modernization and reeducation of its equipment and personnel. Notwithstanding the difficulties and problems which arise from such a process, the Netherlands is continuing to provide a substantial contribution to the defense of the approaches to European shores.
Commander Doorman recently was the Chief of Information for the Royal Netherlands Navy and is currently serving at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.