Defence cooperation - United Kingdom
The long-standing military cooperation between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands has many historical ties: many Dutch operational air, naval and army units were founded in the United Kingdom during World War II, and Dutch citizens have a deep respect and warm relationship with British World War II veterans. From day one, the cooperation remains undisputed.
Netherlands Defence organisation
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence comprises 7 organisational elements. The Central Staff makes Defence policy. The four armed forces Services ensure that military personnel and material are mission-ready. Joint Support Command and the Materiel and IT Command support the armed forces Services by providing products and services. The Minister of Defence is the head of the Defence organisation. Read more.
Cooperation between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
As the Netherlands armed forces rarely carry out military operations independently, the Netherlands Defence organisation usually cooperates with other countries’ armed forces. The United Kingdom Defence organisation is one of the Netherlands' most important partners in the preparation and execution phases of many military operations, but equally important for cutting costs by, for example, collectively procuring and maintaining military material and collectively training troops.
The Defence Department of the embassy is responsible for representing Dutch military-political and military-strategic interests in the UK. We collect and analyse information and report on topics that are of importance to the leadership of the Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence from a military-political, military-economic, strategic, operational and technical point of view. We strive to intensify the cooperation further by strengthening the bilateral relations between the UK and the Netherlands, as well as in a multinational and NATO context. Besides UN and NATO, examples of UK-NL cooperation are within the Northern Group, the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), the United Kingdom/Netherlands Amphibious Force (UK/NL AF) and the European Air Group (EAG) at RAF High Wycombe.
Commemoration
The Defence Department regularly attends commemoration ceremonies throughout the UK. Collaborating closely with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the Dutch Embassy Defence Department organises the annual 4 May Dutch Remembrance Day at the Netherlands Field of Honour, Mill Hill Cemetery in North London. The 4th of May is the day on which the Netherlands commemorates its victims of war.
In September, the yearly commemorative flower ceremony involves pupils from schools in the neighbourhoods close to Mill Hill cemetery.
The Defence Department at the Embassy maintains contact with Dutch military veterans throughout the UK. We have also worked with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to ensure that British WWII veterans who participated in military campaigns in the Netherlands receive the Thank You Liberators medal to recognise the part they played in the liberation of the Netherlands. Please submit any questions about medals or service records via the contact form.
Support
We support incoming (high-level) military visits and Dutch companies with their contacts in the security sector in the UK. Military personnel frequently conduct exercises and/or training in the UK. Furthermore, the Defence Department supports the 80 Dutch service members stationed throughout the UK.
Please use the contact form if you require any further information.