Collection

The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (RNLMC), established in 1665, is an integral part of the Royal Netherlands Nayv (RNLN). The RNLMC HQ and the Van Ghent Training Barracks are located in Rotterdam. The operational command (Group Operational Units Marines - GOUM) is based in the Van Braam Houckgeest Barracks in the centre of the Netherlands. The GOUM incorporates the bulk of the RNLMC's operational units. The RNLMC will be expended to 3500 marines by the year of 2004.

Mission

To provide amphibious trained, rapid deployable, light infantry units that are capable of operating anywhere in the world to protect and support the interests of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and to maintain international peace and security.

The tasks

Four types of tasks have been identified for the RNLMC: National, Kingdom NATO and Peace Support.
In the national context, the Corps is tasked to provide military assistance to the civil authorities. This ranges from manpower assistance in human relief operations tot specialists counter terrorist operations.
Within the Kingdom the RNMLC has to contribute to the external defence of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. For this task 230 Marines are based in the Caribbean alongside RNLN ships and aircraft.
In the NATO context, the RNLMC has assigned forces to both Supreme Allied Commanders, SACLANT and SACEUR. The contribution to SACLANT involves approximately 1,000 men under the umbrella of the UK/NL Landing Force, of which the UK contribution is provided by 3rd Commando Brigade, Royal Marines. A second Marine Battalion is the Dutch contribution to the ACE Mobile Force (Land), the brigade-sized rapid intervention force of SACEUR. After the AMF(L) will be dissolved by the end of 2002 this battalion will be offered to NATO as a unit available for the High Readiness Initial Entry Forces. In addition to this, the RNLMC also regularly contributes to the Combined Amphibious Force Mediterranean (CAFMED), a rapidly deployable amphibious force on NATO's southern flank.
The fourth task is to contribute to maintaining international peace and security by carrying out Peace support operations (PSO). At each and every moment, a 600-800 strong unit can be deployed for a PSO-mission with a 10 days notice.

The Operational Organization

The GOUM consists of two active Marine Battalions (1st and 2nd) each numbering 507 men. The 3rd Battalion is partly operational (2 companies) but will be fully ranked at the end of 2004. 2 Companies of this Battalion are permanently based in the Caribbean. The 4lh Battalion will be activated in case of mobilisation only. The Combat Support Battalion consists of a 120mm mortar company, a Stinger air-defence platoon, an engineer reconnaissance platoon and two maritime Special Forces companies. The last two GOUM units are the Logistic Battalion and the Amphibious Support Battalion, which operates the landing craft (LCVP's and LCU's).

Materiel

The RNLMC, true to its motto Qua Patet Orbis ('As Far as the World Extends'), provides its personnel with a standard personal equipment kit that covers operations in moderate climates as well as in mountain and arctic environments. In addition, units are equipped for deployments under desert or jungle conditions. The Corps' personal weapons are the Diemaco C-7A1 5.56mm assault rifle and the Glock 9 mm pistol. Infantry support weapons include the FN 7.62 MAG and 12.7mm M2 machine guns, Steyr SSG 7.62 sniper rifles and Mossberg M590A1 tactical shotgun.
The RNLMC relies on three types of mortars for fire support: 60mm ( platoon level), 81mm mortars used in the support company of a Marine Battalion and 120mm mortars in the Combat Support Battalion. Anti-tank systems used, provide options for close-in, short and medium-range engagements, respectively AT4 84mm, Carl Gustav and Dragon. The RNLMC's anti-air weapon is the Raytheon Stinger.
The RNLMC's include Land Rovers 110 Defender 4x4 wheeled vehicles, Hagglunds BV 206 tracked all terrain vehicles and the Patria XA-118 wheeled armoured personnel carriers.

Cooperation with RNLN

The RNLN commissioned HNLMS Rotterdam (LPD) in 1998 which has significantly broadened the amphibious lift capacity. The Royal Netherlands Navy will further improve the amphibious capabilities by building a second LPD which will have command and control facilities up to division or MCC level. This ship comes into service by 2007.

2002 year