Royal Netherlands Navy Fleet Inventory 🇳🇱

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.

Key facts

Official Name Royal Netherlands Navy
Country🇳🇱 Netherlands
World rank#32
Ships in service38 (as of 2024)
Total ships38
Naval ensign

Ensign of Netherlands navy

Number of active ships by category

Ship category Active
Support ships 8
Patrol boats 7
Other ships 6
Mine Warfare ships 6
Frigates 6
Submarines 3
Amphibious ships 2

Detailed inventory of Netherlands Navy

Amphibious ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Landing platform dock Rotterdam (2 ships) Active 1998

Frigates

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Frigate De Zeven Provinciën (4 ships) Active 2002
Karel Doorman (2 ships) Active 1994

Mine Warfare ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Minehunter Alkmaar (5 ships) Active 1989
Mine countermeasures vessel Geosea Active 2020

Other ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Coastal & Harbour Tug Noordzee (3 ships) Active 2016
Hydrographic survey vessel Snellius (2 ships) Active 2004
Training Vessel Van Kinsbergen Training Vessel Active 1999

Patrol boats

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Training & Patrol Damen StanPatrol 2005 (3 ships) Active 2014
Offshore patrol vessel Holland (4 ships) Active 2011

Submarines

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Submarine Walrus (3 ships) Active 1994

Support ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Diving support vessel Cerberus (4 ships) Active 1992
Joint logistic support ship Karel Doorman Active 2014
Submarine support vessel Mercuur Active 1987
Multi-purpose logistic support vessel Pelikaan Active 2006
Diving support vessel Soemba Active 1989