The Netherlands, taking over the amphibious role within NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF) from Türkiye, has begun commanding a new high‑readiness force built around the HNLMS Johan de Witt amphibious transport dock. This multidimensional force, deployed for one year with an immediate reaction capability, includes marines, specialist dive teams, two NH90 helicopters, and a Role 2 Afloat medical support unit capable of performing surgical interventions at sea.
As of this week, the Netherlands has announced the allocation of a new amphibious task group to NATO’s Allied Reaction Force. This high‑readiness force will remain on standby for one year to defend the Alliance’s borders, with the ability to project from the sea and land Dutch Marine combat units directly into the target area.
Technical Elements of the Dutch Amphibious Task Group
The command and amphibious backbone of the task group is the HNLMS Johan de Witt amphibious transport dock. The main strike element of this force is the Royal Netherlands Marines (Korps Mariniers), a combat unit specialised in coastal and amphibious operations. In addition, a specialist naval dive team has been integrated to handle underwater reconnaissance, mine clearance, and subsurface defence missions in the operational area.
The task group is also supported by an integrated Role 2 Afloat medical unit, providing advanced medical care and surgical capability at sea, while the air component consists of two NH90 naval helicopters deployed for maritime assault and logistics support missions.
The force will be commanded by Dutch Naval Commodore George Pastoor and the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Maritime Combat Headquarters.
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Handover from Türkiye
A change of command has taken place under this force structure, established within NATO’s collective defence and deterrence policy. The Netherlands has taken over this ARF role from Türkiye. Amsterdam has previously allocated similar amphibious task groups to NATO in 2016 and 2020 as well.
According to official statements, personnel of the task group will not be continuously deployed away from home for the full year, but will maintain high readiness to respond immediately in times of crisis. Throughout this one‑year tour, the units will continue to keep their combat readiness at the highest level through multinational NATO exercises.
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Source: C4Defence– Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands
