Battalion - Dutch Army

Dutch Army

• A mechanised infantry battalion usually consists of one command- and medical company, three mechanised infantry companies, and one support company which has 3 platoons with heavy mortars and 1 (later 3) platoon(s) with anti-tank missiles (TOW). With the Dutch artillery units the equivalent of a battalion is called an "afdeling" (which translates to "section").
• Combat companies consist of (usually mechanised) infantry, combat engineers, or tanks. In the latter case the unit is called an "eskadron", which translates roughly to "squadron". There are also support battalions in the Dutch army, which specialise on specific task: for example, supplies and transport or communication.
• The Netherlands have four battalions that are permanently reserved for the United Nations, for the purpose of peacekeeping duties.
• An infantry battalion, logistical battalion, combat battalion, or even the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps all have a battalion structure. Each battalion usually consists of the following:
  • Battalion command
    • Commander
    • Second in command
  • General service
    • Personnel section
    • Intelligence section
    • Operations section
    • Materiel section
    • Communication section
  • Command company
    • Command group
    • Administration group
    • Medical group
    • Communication group
    • Supply platoon
  • 3 Infantry companies
  • Support company
    • Command group
    • Recon platoon
    • Mortar platoon
    • Anti-tank platoon