Royal Netherlands Navy

The Royal Netherlands Navy (Dutch: Koninklijke Marine, pronounced [ˈkoːnɪŋkləkə maːˈrinə]) is the maritime service branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. It traces its history to 8 January 1488, making it the third-oldest navy in the world.

During the 17th and early 18th centuries, the Dutch States Navy was one of the most powerful navies in the world and played an active role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars, Franco-Dutch War, Nine Years' War and War of the Spanish Succession. However, by the late 18th century it had declined through neglect and was no longer a match for either the British or French navies. The Batavian Navy and navy of the Kingdom of Holland played an active role in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, though both were repeatedly yoked to French interests.

Officially formed in 1813 after the Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands was established, the Royal Netherlands Navy played an important role in protecting the Dutch East Indies, and would play a minor role in World War II, where it fought against the Imperial Japanese Navy. Since World War II, the Royal Netherlands Navy has taken part in several peacekeeping missions, and frequently participates in European Union and NATO operations and exercises.