13 Light Armoured Brigade completes integration between Dutch combat brigades and German divisions
At the military ceremony to integrate the Dutch 13 Light Armoured Brigade and the German 10th Panzerdivision, Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren today announced that the 2 countries jointly have 3 capable divisions available. According to Ollongren, that is what NATO expects and what Europe needs.
At Schloß Veitshöchheim in the German federal state of Bavaria, the Oirschot-based brigade’s unit flag was handed over to symbolise the integration. The merger means that every Royal Netherlands Army combat brigade is now combined with a German division.
Benefits
The integration delivers various benefits. Joint training and exercises become easier, and materiel can be acquired jointly. And equally importantly, when on deployment the soldiers of the 2 armies will already be used to working together. It is important to note that the Netherlands remains in control of the decision whether and where to deploy its military forces.
Cooperation
In 2014, 11 Airmobile Brigade integrated with the German Division Schnelle Kräfte. After that, 43 Mechanised Brigade was combined with the German 1st Panzerdivision in 2016. Since 1995, the 2 countries have also been working closely together in the rapidly deployable 1st German-Netherlands Corps. Air defence units have also been partly integrated.
Ollongren emphasised the importance of the affiliation with a German division: “Today marks the start of yet another crucial step forwards.” She also had encouraging words for the detachments of the German division and the Dutch brigade present at the ceremony: “I am confident in your ability to succeed.”