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Special Operations Command

Netherlands Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM) is responsible for deploying Netherlands special operations forces (SOF) at sea, on land and in the air. In other words, it plans, directs, executes and evaluates all SOF operations of the Netherlands armed forces. It reports directly to the Chief of Defence and forms an independent part of Joint Forces Command. 

NLD SOCOM’s raison d’être

NLD SOCOM ensures coherence across all units and positions deployed for SOF operations. This includes military personnel from the Commando Corps, Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces and 300 Special Operations Squadron (Cougars). It also includes specialists, engineers and infanteers who participate in operations as support personnel.

There has been an increasing demand for special operations forces for some time, and this is likely to continue. These units are highly flexible and can operate in the most challenging of conditions, even when an adversary resorts to alternative methods of warfare.

NLD SOCOM coordinates Netherlands SOF and support personnel.  It ensures that Netherlands SOF can train effectively and prepare thoroughly for specific operations by establishing the necessary rules, conditions, policies and plans.

NLD SOCOM and services of the armed forces

Responsibility for ensuring the operational readiness of a unit’s military personnel lies with the service of the armed forces under which the unit falls. NLD SOCOM ensures that these units are ready for deployment to a specific SOF operation.

NLD SOCOM’s assigned tasks

NLD SOCOM is responsible for: 

  • deploying and preparing SOF units for deployment;
  • ensuring quality to guarantee that the units’ capabilities are always clearly defined;
  • developing policy and plans and procuring equipment;
  • playing a leading role in knowledge and innovation for SOF units.

About the unit

NLD SOCOM was established in 2018. It is staffed by a permanent group of civilian and military personnel and a flexible complement of project staff and reservists. Many of these individuals are drawn from SOF. 

Special Operations Component Command (SOCC)

From 2017 onwards, NLD SOCOM gained experience working with Belgium and Denmark on a temporarily deployable NATO HQ for SOF operations. 

In the coming years, NLD SOCOM personnel will apply this knowledge within Special Operations Component Command (SOCC), which will be responsible for special operations within NATO. Participation in SOCC will enable the Netherlands to continue making an important contribution to NATO’s special operations activities.