The Dutch Ministry of Defense is strengthening the firepower of its land forces: with the ceremonial re-establishment of the 11th Mobile Artillery Division (11 Afdeling Rijdende Artillerie) at the Oldebroek military training area, the army is gaining a state-of-the-art second artillery unit.
The unit was decommissioned in 2013 as part of cost-cutting measures. In view of the increasing geopolitical tensions, the Netherlands is now investing significantly in its military capabilities again – particularly in the effectiveness of the army brigades.
“Striking power with a modern, highly developed weapon system,” said Lieutenant General Jan Swillens, Commander of the Dutch Land Forces, during the roll call.
State-of-the-art: howitzers, missiles and drones
In the coming years, the newly established division will be equipped with a combination of self-propelled howitzers and rocket artillery – supplemented by modern sensor technology such as multi-mission radar and various drone platforms.
“This will make this unit one of the most technologically advanced artillery forces in Europe,” Swillens emphasized to the soldiers of the new force.
The reactivation will enable all three Dutch army brigades to be equipped with their own fire support in future – a necessary prerequisite for success in large-scale military conflicts.
„Vertrauen kann man nicht befehlen – man muss es sich erarbeiten”
Tradition meets modernity
The history of the “mobile artillery” dates back to the late 18th century. Originally founded to support the cavalry on horseback, its units fought against German, British and Russian troops. After the Second World War, the division was temporarily disbanded, but returned in the 1960s as 11 Afdeling Rijdende Artillerie.
Under the traditional name “De Gele Rijders”, the unit took part in numerous international missions – for example in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo. The unit’s active history came to an end in 2013 – until today.
