Current missions

Lithuania (Multinational Battle Group, formerly known as eFP)

Defence makes a contribution to the Multinational Battle Group, NATO’s reinforced military presence in Lithuania. The Dutch contribution entails approximately 200 military personnel, which may be expanded to 350 personnel. The battalion that the Netherlands is part of is under German command and is stationed in Rukla. NATO decided to send extra military personnel to the eastern European border in response to the alarming actions by Russia. It is one of the ‘reassurance measures’ in place for the eastern European Allies.

Iraq

The Netherlands contributes to various missions that are being conducted in Iraq. The objective is to strengthen the country’s security sector, in order to enable Iraq to resist the ISIS terrorist organisation and other threats.

Bahrein (CMF)

A total of 39 countries take part in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) mission. CMF has a headquarters in Bahrain, to which a number of Dutch officers are deployed. The mission comprises 4 Coalition Task Forces (CTF150, 151, 152 and 153) in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean.

De CTFs:

• combat terrorism and monitor security at sea (CTF 150)
• combat piracy (CTF 151);
• monitor security in the Persian Gulf (CTF 152);
• strengthen maritime security in the Red Sea (CFT 153).

Israel (USSC)

The Netherlands contributes 5 military personnel to the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah. USSC focuses on professionalising the Palestinian security sector. The mission improves the functioning of the Palestinian Authority's security services and Presidential Guard and seeks to contribute to the viability of a stable Palestinian state.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR Althea)

The European Force Althea (EUFOR Althea) is committed to ensuring political and social stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of a new armed conflict. Until the beginning of October 2024, the Netherlands contributed an infantry company of 150 marines to ensure security and improve the capability of the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A number of Dutch staff officers and a small National Support Element team are still present in the area to contribute to the EUFOR Althea mission headquarters. In October 2025, the Netherlands will again contribute by deploying an infantry company, numbering at most 175 service members, to the Balkan country. The infanteers will be part of a multinational battalion for one year.  

Lebanon, Syria and Israel (UNTSO)

The United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) monitors whether the agreed demarcation lines between Lebanon, Syria and Israel are being observed. UNTSO operates in the same area as UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) and, in southern Lebanon, as UNIFIL (United Nations International Force In Lebanon). The Netherlands supplies 12 military personnel for participation in this mission.

South Korea (UNC)

As of 5 January 2025, the Netherlands has deployed 3 military personnel to United Nations Command (UNC) in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The Netherlands aims to contribute to the security situation in the Indo-Pacific. The military mission is led by the United States. Other participating nations are Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The Dutch contribution will last until the end of 2026. The 3 military personnel will be on rotation during this period.

Africa (GPOI)

In Chad, 8 Dutch military personnel are currently training new instructors. After the course, the new African instructors will train African infanteers for participation in African peace missions. The infanteers will receive instruction in intelligence-gathering, logistics, civil-military cooperation and in how military operations are structured. 

Eastern flank of NATO territory

The Netherlands monitors the airspace of the eastern flank of NATO territory by means of fighter aircraft. It does so in rotation with 16 other NATO allies under the name Air Policing (AP).

The RNLAF gathers information on the eastern flank of NATO territory by means of 2 Dutch MQ-9 Reapers operating in Romania. Some 40 Dutch military personnel are stationed at a military base in the Romanian municipality of Luna. They maintain and monitor the unmanned aircraft and the required signals. Flying the Reapers and the processing of the information collected is done from Leeuwarden Air Base and involves some 100 military personnel.

The Netherlands is contributing with a number of Royal Netherlands Navy ships in the NATO’s Baltic Sentry mission in the Baltic Sea. Baltic Sentry is intended to prevent sabotage of critical underwater infrastructure, such as power and data cables.

Red Sea

The Netherlands supplies staff officers to the EU's Operation Aspides, which aims to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The Netherlands also supplies staff officers to various operations concerning maritime security in the Red Sea.

Other deployments

Dutch military personnel are posted to the headquarters of various missions on a rotational basis. Furthermore, there are NATO assurance measures in place on the eastern flank of NATO territory that involve the deployment of Dutch military personnel on a rotational basis.