The Netherlands' unionized military had a bad reputation in the 1970's. Most of it was probably undeserved. Although Dutch society is basically pacifistic, the Netherlands learned, as did Norway, that peace and freedom demand vigilance. The Dutch Armed Forces are exceedingly well-equipped, fairly well trained, and their special forces are highly regarded by their US and British counterparts.

The Dutch military has been all-volunteer since 1995.

Need info on the Dutch Military?  See http://www.mindef.nl/english/

 Basic Training:US

 Note that Civilians may join the "Home Guard"see "Reservists", Page 4.

 ARMY

 Equipment:

• Uzi Submachine Gun (drivers and other support personnel only)
• ”Dimaco” (As Canadian C7) Assault Rifle
• Dimaco Light Support Weapon
• FNMAG Machine Gun
• Glock 17 Pistol (replaced HP35)
• Leopard II Main Battle Tank
• M113 C&R (version of Canadion Lynx) Armored  Reconaissance Vehicle
• M109 SP 155 howitzer
• MLRS Mobile Rocket Launcher
• YPR765 Infantry Combat Vehicle
• AH-64D Apache
• Bölkow BO 105 CB
• Boeing CH-47D "Chinook"
• Bell AB-412 SP (Search and Rescue)
• Eurocopter AS 532 U2 "Cougar MK II"

 Special Forces:

• Reconaissance Troops: LRRP Table
• Royal Marines - use British Royal Marines table.
• RM W Company - As British Royal Marines, add Mountaineering 2 and Parachute to First Term skills.
• Bijzondere Bijstands Eenheid (BBE)  - SAS Table.  This is the Dutch counterterror unit.  Must first serve term in Dutch Royal Marines).
• Boat Group, RM - Special Boat Table
• 7 Special Boat Section - SBS Table

NAVY

 Naval aviation rotary wing (Lynx SH14 D  (ASW Chopper)) and landbased patrol craft only. DieselElectric submarines onlyno nuclear power.

 No Seabees

 Royal Netherlands Air Force

 Aircraft Used

• FighterF16
• AttackNF5
• TransportC130, Fokker F50/F60
• ReconNF5
• SpecialP3 Orion
• Tanker KDC-10

 Prior Conflicts:

• Gulf War (1991) (air and support units)
• Several colonial insurgencies in Indonesia (before Indonesia became independant)
• Korea (marines)
• Peacekeeping duty, Bosnia-Herzegovina.  The Dutch contingent was criticized for apparently allowing Serb militias to massacre Bosnian civilians ostensibly under their protection.  This action sparked a national controversy, sometimes called (with possible hyperbole) “The Dutch Vietnam”.

Check out my company site, which pays the bills for this little hobby.  The copyright for Twilight/Merc2000 is owned by Tantalus Games Inc.   However, the game is kept alive by hobbyists worldwide, whom I thank for giving this site a reason to exist. 

Site  (c) 2001 Mitch Berg.  Twilight 2000 and Merc 2000 (c) Tantalus Games Inc.

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