The Royal Netherlands Navy, known in Dutch as Koninklijke Marine, is one of the world's oldest naval forces, established on January 8, 1488. During the 17th century, the navy of the Dutch Republic was one of the most powerful in the world, actively participating in the Anglo-Dutch Wars, Franco-Dutch War, and conflicts against Spain and various European powers. The Batavian Navy, under the Batavian Republic and Kingdom of Holland, was also engaged in the Napoleonic Wars, although heavily influenced by French interests.
After forming the modern Kingdom of the Netherlands, the navy was crucial in protecting Dutch colonial rule, particularly in Southeast Asia. It played a limited role in World War II, especially against the Imperial Japanese Navy. In this conflict, the Dutch Navy started with a considerable fleet but suffered heavy losses, particularly in the Pacific Theatre, and was eventually based in Allied countries. The navy's role in World War II was marked by notable operations, such as transporting troops, escorting convoys, and attacking enemy targets. Notably, a small force of Dutch submarines based in Western Australia was particularly effective against Japanese ships early in the war.
Post-World War II, the Dutch Navy faced major changes in its colonial relations, especially with the independence of Indonesia. Parts of the navy were stationed in Netherlands New Guinea until its turnover to Indonesia in 1962. In the post-war era, with the formation of NATO, the Dutch Navy gained more recognition, especially during the Korean War, leading to the creation of a balanced fleet and the integration of technical innovations like radar, sonar, nuclear weapons systems, and long-range missiles. As a NATO member, the Netherlands developed its security policy in close cooperation with other members, and the navy joined certain permanent NATO squadrons from 1965.
