Dutch commando in Mali

[Gabriel92]

@Penguin
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From Mali, one Dutch Special Operations force commando tells his story. His perspective. His mission.

► ► EPISODE 1 "NO MAN'S LAND" ◄ ◄
We introduce our commando in Mali. He scouts the area for the United Nations and comes into contact with rebels. The atmosphere is tense, yet he manages to obtain new information about the location of the rebels. Everything points to the Tilemsi valley. It is a kind of a no-man’s land, in the proximity of Kidal.

DIARY OF OUR HEROES ► COMMANDO IN MALI
Who or what is a Special Forces commando? For once, the mystery surrounding the elite unit of the Dutch army is replaced by the real story. For the first time we experience what a real commando sees, does and thinks. During the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA in Mali, one commando kept a video diary. This commando, who filmed everything from his point of view, gives the viewer a unique glimpse into the life of a commando on mission in the eight-part series “Dagboek van Onze Helden – Commando in Mali”.

► THE DUTCH MISSION IN MALI
Since April 2014, the Dutch Special Operations Forces are operating in the dessert of the African country Mali. Mali is likely to be a breeding ground for terrorist organizations. For this reason, UN peacekeeping mission MINSUMA was conceived.

The Dutch Special Operations forces form the 'eyes and ears' of this mission. The commandos gather intelligence and investigate where battling parties are located. That is not without danger. Attacks with homemade bombs, ambushes and raids are part of the daily threat. With the Dutch findings and intelligence further operations are considered. This makes the Dutch contribution very important and unique.

Commando in Mali - RP Defense
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[These videos are in Dutch,but with English subtitles]

 

[Indian Patriot]

@Penguin - Is it true that the Dutch have jettisoned their fleet of tanks?

 

[BordoEnes]

@Penguin - Is it true that the Dutch have jettisoned their fleet of tanks?

Yup. Can confirm.

 

[Penguin]

@Penguin - Is it true that the Dutch have jettisoned their fleet of tanks?

Since 2011 we have 0 operational tanks. All of our 445 Leo 2 tanks (which replaced 468 Leopards 1) have been sold off, but for a mere 15. Until quite recently these were slated for sale. Now, these will be put back into service and stationed in Germany.

We do operate mechi.inf battalions with some 105 active CV-9035NL (we bought 193, we sold 44 so number went down to 149, of which 44 now in reserve). Within BAE Systems Hägglunds, CV9035 is known as the CV90 MK III.

But for PzH-2000 and engineering & recovery veh., the rest of the armor is wheeled.
Royal Netherlands Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Gabriel92]

Since 2011 we have 0 operational tanks. All but some 15 of our tanks have been sold off, but for 15 Leo 2s. Until quite recently these were slated for sale. Now, these will be put back into service and stationed in Germany.

We do operate mechi.inf battalions with some 105 active CV-9035NL (we bought 193, we sold 44 so number went down to 149, of which 44 now in reserve). Within BAE Systems Hägglunds, CV9035 is known as the CV90 MK III.

But for PzH-2000 and engineering & recovery veh., the rest of the armor is wheeled.
Royal Netherlands Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What's the current budget of the NAF ? (and % of GDP)
Will the budget be increased in the coming years ?

 

[Penguin]

What's the current budget of the NAF ? (and % of GDP)
Will the budget be increased in the coming years ?

€8,067,000,000 (2012).
Percent of GDP, 1,34% (2012).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_forces_of_the_Netherlands

1.3% of GDP (2013/4?)
Czech fighters to protect Iceland's airspace

The Netherlands currently spends around 1.3% of its gross domestic product on the military, well below the NATO guideline of 2%.
The Dutch government in 2011 embarked on a dramatic overhaul of its military that included more than 14,000 job cuts, the closing of several military bases and the disposal of key military equipment.
The Netherlands, the eurozone's fifth-largest economy, is slowly emerging from a lengthy recession that has taken a toll on government finances.
Netherlands to Boost Military Spending - WSJ

The Netherlands might be better known for its tulip fields and liberal ideals than bombs and bullets. However, a report commissioned by the European Leadership Network (ELN) has found that the Dutch are bucking the trend in western Europe in terms of military spending.
The Dutch government boosted its defence budget to €8 billion for the fiscal year 2015, up from €7.6 billion in 2014. They have also committed to a €100 million annual real terms increase in defence spending. According to Dutch Ministry of Defence figures obtained by Newsweek, defence now accounts for 1.15% GDP.
Whilst there is some way to go to hit the 2% target set at the NATO Wales Summit last September, the Netherlands is moving in the right direction. Europe's 'Big Three' - the UK, Germany and France - have all failed to increase spending, and none are meeting the aforementioned target.
Netherlands Boosts Defence Spending in Light of MH17

One lesson that should have been learned from the 1930s is that there is a point in cutting back on defence spending where your military ceases to be relevant/functional...

 

[ayesha.a]

Since 2011 we have 0 operational tanks.

Very strange, why is that?

Is it because they do not expect to have to fight a war for a long time to come?

 

[Penguin]

Very strange, why is that?

Is it because they do not expect to have to fight a war for a long time to come?

You have to make choices, esp. when budgets are small. We traded classic heavy armor for airmobile/seamobile/lightarmour, in view of changing missions.