Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army
The Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army has command of the Army. His most important task lies in ensuring that Army units are mission-ready. The commander is responsible for preparing, leading and concluding operations. He reports to the Chief of Defence (CHOD). Lieutenant General Jan Swillens was appointed Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army on 8 March 2024.
Leading land operations
The Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army leads ground operations by order of the CHOD. The Army often cooperates with the other Services of the Netherlands armed forces or with foreign army units in land operations.
The CHOD may also instruct the Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army to lend support to civil authorities, both in the Netherlands and abroad. That may involve providing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, but could also encompass clearing explosives or conducting search operations in houses or in wooded areas.