Korps Commandotroepen
Encyclopedia
The Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) are the elite special forces
of the Royal Netherlands Army
. It is one of the two principal units tasked with special operations
in the Netherlands
(the other being the Maritime Special Operations Forces (MARSOF) of the Netherlands Marine Corps
), and it is deployable anywhere in the world under any circumstance, conducting all conceivable missions from the full spectrum of special operations, including counter-terrorism
overseas.
. Under the name No.2 (Dutch) Troop, the first Dutch commandos were trained in Achnacarry, Scotland, as part of No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando
. The unit was formed on March 22, 1942, the birthday of the present KCT. Its purpose was to conduct special operations, which, at the time, were operations that were considered too complex and too dangerous for conventional military personnel. The unit was disbanded in October 1945, but its members continued fighting in the Dutch East Indies
, while others formed the Stormschool (1945–1950), located in Bloemendaal
. In 1949, the Stormschool relocated itself to the Engelbrecht van Nassaukazerne in Roosendaal, now the home garrison of the present KCT.
in Sumatra
against the Japanese. After the Japanese capitulation, the Korps Insulinde was tasked with the search and rescue of (Dutch) POWs. In November 1945, the unit was disbanded, and its members hooked up with Depot Speciale Troepen and former members of No.2 (Dutch) Troop to form the Regiment Speciale Troepen (1945–1950). This new unit was involved in the Indonesian independence wars after WW2. After Indonesia
's independence was acknowledged by the Dutch government in 1949, the RST returned to the Netherlands. On 1 July 1950, on parliamentary recommendation, the RST merged with the Stormschool in Roosendaal to form the present Korps Commandotroepen.
The KCT switched from a "part conscript, part professional force" to a fully professional unit in 1995. The last conscripts made place for professional operators in 1996, when Dutch conscription
was suspended. From here, the KCT underwent drastic changes in its structure and operational capability, and with great success. It grew to a mature, professional and versatile SF unit and built up a considerable reputation. Deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo
, Macedonia
, Iraq
and more recently, Afghanistan
provided many new insights and knowledge. Successful CT operations in Côte d'Ivoire
(2004) and the Middle-East (2006) proved once again that the KCT is an extremely able, highly independent and versatile unit.
KCT operators wear a Commando Green beret
. This shade of green is also in use by British Commando Qualified personnel and internationally often worn by other commando units.
The brass KCT beret emblem
displays a Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife
, hand grenade
and a ribbon with the unit's Nunc aut Nunquam (now or never) motto on it. The background of the emblem consist of a gothic typeface "W", indicating the name Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands from 1898-1948
. The beret emblem is worn on a black background with a green border.
All candidates (both civilian as well as active military personnel) are subjected to an initial 3-day introductory phase where they experience what is being demanded from an operator. Military personnel are subjected to additional tests. After initial physical and psychological surveys during this 3-day introduction, prospective candidates are sent to Amsterdam
for thorough psychological and medical examination. After successful examinations, civilian candidates start with the 8-week AMO (basic training), and will join the ranks with the military candidates during an 8-week indoctrination phase known as VO (Vooropleiding - pre-selection). The pre-selection serves as a refreshment course for already experienced military personnel, and to give them the opportunity to work together with the fresh candidates who have roled in from the basic military training, as they prepare for the next (selection) phase, called ECO (Elementaire Commando Opleiding - basic commando course, the selection). ECO is a brutal 8 to 9-week selection phase held twice a year in the woods around Roosendaal and De Biesbosch. Due to its secrecy policy, not much is known about this phase. Possible events included in the training are live firing exercises, long range patrols, speed marches, simulated raids and ambushes, and other physically and mentally torturing activities. The ECO selection is designed to break down and weed out those that cannot cope with continuous extreme situations such as constant exhaustion/fatigue (due to continuous lack of sleep), limited rations, almost endless (physically and mentally torturing) drills and exercises. Only those dedicated and with enough mental and physical stamina will make it through these 8-9 weeks.
Those who have made it through the selection pipeline successfully, receive the much desired green beret
, and he may call himself a commando. The average attrition rate is 60-70% for experienced military personnel. In the past, of civilian candidates that came right in, as much as 95% to 100% failed the ECO. The new basic training phase for civilian applicants at the beginning of the pipeline should make sure that they are better prepared for the second phase, and to make sure that the attrition rate through the last stage of selection (the ECO) is similar to that of already active military personnel.
Finally, those awarded with the green beret will continue with the Vaktechnische opleiding Speciale Operaties (the operator training course). The course covers all aspects of special warfare such as, special reconnaissance, direct action (DA), counter-terrorism (CT), military free-fall parachuting and individual specialisations (demolition, SF medic, communications ops, sniper). Once completed, the individual commando is now a full-fledged operator and is assigned to his team in one of the 4 companies. Depending on the team specialty (HAHO/HALO parachute, diver, mountain or counter-terrorism), he will undergo continuing specialisation training on team level.
(SAS), the KCT however, stands on its own, forming the doctrine centre for special operations in the Netherlands
, and providing "internal" training for its operators, and "external" training for other (specialist) units within the Dutch armed forces.
operations. Operators gather and report intelligence as they infiltrate deep into enemy territory, observing, monitoring, analysing targets (enemy forces, buildings, infrastructure) and surrounding natural environment. Intelligence that would benefit the main battle force prior to an invasion, or intelligence that would benefit a direct action
.
Typical DA tactics:
The KCT is also tasked with counter-terrorism
operations overseas. Domestic CT operations is the task of the Unit Interventie Mariniers of the Dutch Marine Corps.
. Another significant function is to reinforce a battle force. This means that an operational team is part of a larger whole (for example, a main battle force), although remaining independent, providing support in firepower and other strategic and tactical advantages, as well as force protection (protection of coalition troops).
Additionally, combat search-and-rescue (CSAR), Non-combatant evacuations operations (NEO) and humanitarian aid and disaster relief are other, not unimportant tasks of the KCT.
Djokjakarta 1948 and Central Sumatra 1948-1949 http://www.korpscommandotroepen.nl/index.php?l=en&p=62
Bosnia-Herzegovina(1994-2001) Macadonia(2001-2002), Afghanistan (ISAF) 2001-2003 Iraq (SFIR) 2003-2005, Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) 2005-2006 and (ISAF) 2006-2010
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
of the Royal Netherlands Army
Royal Netherlands Army
The Royal Netherlands Army is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands.-Short history:The Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, but its origins date back to 1572, when the so-called Staatse Leger was raised...
. It is one of the two principal units tasked with special operations
Special operations
Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
(the other being the Maritime Special Operations Forces (MARSOF) of the Netherlands Marine Corps
Netherlands Marine Corps
The Korps Mariniers is the marine corps and amphibious infantry component of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The marines are trained to operate anywhere in the world in all environments, under any condition and circumstance, as a rapid reaction force. The Korps Mariniers can be deployed to a given...
), and it is deployable anywhere in the world under any circumstance, conducting all conceivable missions from the full spectrum of special operations, including counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
overseas.
World War II
The roots of the KCT go back to World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Under the name No.2 (Dutch) Troop, the first Dutch commandos were trained in Achnacarry, Scotland, as part of No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando
No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando
No. 10 Commando was a commando unit of the British Army during the Second World War. The first No. 10 Commando was proposed in August 1940, using volunteers from Northern Command, however there was such a poor response that No...
. The unit was formed on March 22, 1942, the birthday of the present KCT. Its purpose was to conduct special operations, which, at the time, were operations that were considered too complex and too dangerous for conventional military personnel. The unit was disbanded in October 1945, but its members continued fighting in the Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
, while others formed the Stormschool (1945–1950), located in Bloemendaal
Bloemendaal
Bloemendaal is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. According to the Dutch Central Statistical Bureau, Bloemendaal is the wealthiest place in the Netherlands.-Population centres :...
. In 1949, the Stormschool relocated itself to the Engelbrecht van Nassaukazerne in Roosendaal, now the home garrison of the present KCT.
Dutch East Indies
Korps Insulinde (1942–1945) was tasked with conducting guerrilla warfareGuerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
in Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
against the Japanese. After the Japanese capitulation, the Korps Insulinde was tasked with the search and rescue of (Dutch) POWs. In November 1945, the unit was disbanded, and its members hooked up with Depot Speciale Troepen and former members of No.2 (Dutch) Troop to form the Regiment Speciale Troepen (1945–1950). This new unit was involved in the Indonesian independence wars after WW2. After Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
's independence was acknowledged by the Dutch government in 1949, the RST returned to the Netherlands. On 1 July 1950, on parliamentary recommendation, the RST merged with the Stormschool in Roosendaal to form the present Korps Commandotroepen.
The modern KCT
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, much changed. Particular events shaped the organisation and capacity of the armed forces, and in particular, that of the KCT. With the threat of Cold War receding, many new conflicts appeared throughout the world. Nowadays, worldwide terrorism has become the biggest threat, and there has been a very big demand for specialist counter-terrorism units, able to operate overseas. To keep up with these demands, the KCT's old role of Commando Waarnemer-verkenner (Commando Force Reconnaissance) was replaced by that of the modern and versatile Commando Speciale Operaties (co-spec-ops, or Commando Special Operations).The KCT switched from a "part conscript, part professional force" to a fully professional unit in 1995. The last conscripts made place for professional operators in 1996, when Dutch conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
was suspended. From here, the KCT underwent drastic changes in its structure and operational capability, and with great success. It grew to a mature, professional and versatile SF unit and built up a considerable reputation. Deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and more recently, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
provided many new insights and knowledge. Successful CT operations in Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
(2004) and the Middle-East (2006) proved once again that the KCT is an extremely able, highly independent and versatile unit.
KCT operators wear a Commando Green beret
Green beret
The green beret was the official headdress of the British Commandos of World War II. It is still worn with pride by members of the Royal Marines after passing the Commando Course and any member of the British Military who has passed the All Arms Commando Course.There are certain other military...
. This shade of green is also in use by British Commando Qualified personnel and internationally often worn by other commando units.
The brass KCT beret emblem
Cap badge
A cap badge, also known as head badge or hat badge, is a badge worn on uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearer's nationality and/or organisation. The wearing of cap badges is a convention commonly found among military and police forces, as well as uniformed civilian groups such as the Boy...
displays a Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife
Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife
The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife is a double-edged fighting knife resembling a dagger or poignard with a foil grip developed by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes in Shanghai based on concepts which the two men initiated before World War II while serving on the Shanghai Municipal...
, hand grenade
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
and a ribbon with the unit's Nunc aut Nunquam (now or never) motto on it. The background of the emblem consist of a gothic typeface "W", indicating the name Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands from 1898-1948
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Wilhelmina was Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1890 to 1948. She ruled the Netherlands for fifty-eight years, longer than any other Dutch monarch. Her reign saw World War I and World War II, the economic crisis of 1933, and the decline of the Netherlands as a major colonial...
. The beret emblem is worn on a black background with a green border.
Selection and training
The KCT accepts applications from both actively serving army personnel (infantry) and civilians. Though recently, in addition to the standard selection pipeline, civilian applicants will have to go trough an 8-week AMO (Algemene Militaire Opleiding - basic military training) first. The KCT initiated this parallel pipeline part to provide civilian applicants with more potential in passing out the VO and the ECO successfully.All candidates (both civilian as well as active military personnel) are subjected to an initial 3-day introductory phase where they experience what is being demanded from an operator. Military personnel are subjected to additional tests. After initial physical and psychological surveys during this 3-day introduction, prospective candidates are sent to Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
for thorough psychological and medical examination. After successful examinations, civilian candidates start with the 8-week AMO (basic training), and will join the ranks with the military candidates during an 8-week indoctrination phase known as VO (Vooropleiding - pre-selection). The pre-selection serves as a refreshment course for already experienced military personnel, and to give them the opportunity to work together with the fresh candidates who have roled in from the basic military training, as they prepare for the next (selection) phase, called ECO (Elementaire Commando Opleiding - basic commando course, the selection). ECO is a brutal 8 to 9-week selection phase held twice a year in the woods around Roosendaal and De Biesbosch. Due to its secrecy policy, not much is known about this phase. Possible events included in the training are live firing exercises, long range patrols, speed marches, simulated raids and ambushes, and other physically and mentally torturing activities. The ECO selection is designed to break down and weed out those that cannot cope with continuous extreme situations such as constant exhaustion/fatigue (due to continuous lack of sleep), limited rations, almost endless (physically and mentally torturing) drills and exercises. Only those dedicated and with enough mental and physical stamina will make it through these 8-9 weeks.
Those who have made it through the selection pipeline successfully, receive the much desired green beret
Green beret
The green beret was the official headdress of the British Commandos of World War II. It is still worn with pride by members of the Royal Marines after passing the Commando Course and any member of the British Military who has passed the All Arms Commando Course.There are certain other military...
, and he may call himself a commando. The average attrition rate is 60-70% for experienced military personnel. In the past, of civilian candidates that came right in, as much as 95% to 100% failed the ECO. The new basic training phase for civilian applicants at the beginning of the pipeline should make sure that they are better prepared for the second phase, and to make sure that the attrition rate through the last stage of selection (the ECO) is similar to that of already active military personnel.
Finally, those awarded with the green beret will continue with the Vaktechnische opleiding Speciale Operaties (the operator training course). The course covers all aspects of special warfare such as, special reconnaissance, direct action (DA), counter-terrorism (CT), military free-fall parachuting and individual specialisations (demolition, SF medic, communications ops, sniper). Once completed, the individual commando is now a full-fledged operator and is assigned to his team in one of the 4 companies. Depending on the team specialty (HAHO/HALO parachute, diver, mountain or counter-terrorism), he will undergo continuing specialisation training on team level.
Mission
- To prepare and to conduct all conceivable missions from the full spectrum of Special OperationsSpecial operationsSpecial operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
; - To participate simultaneously in two peacekeeping operations with a maximum of four teams each;
- To be self-reliant in combat service support and administration;
- To act as Doctrine Centre for Special Operations;
- To provide internal and external training;
Role of Korps Commandotroepen
Korps Commandotroepen is an extremely capable and experienced unit, as it is an exceptionally "original" unit. Unlike many prominent special forces units in the world, often modelled upon the British Special Air ServiceSpecial Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
(SAS), the KCT however, stands on its own, forming the doctrine centre for special operations in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, and providing "internal" training for its operators, and "external" training for other (specialist) units within the Dutch armed forces.
Special reconnaissance
The primary task of the Korps Commandotroepen is to conduct covert special reconnaissanceSpecial reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance is conducted by small units of highly trained military personnel, usually from special forces units or military intelligence organisations, who operate behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detection by the enemy. As a role, SR is distinct from commando operations,...
operations. Operators gather and report intelligence as they infiltrate deep into enemy territory, observing, monitoring, analysing targets (enemy forces, buildings, infrastructure) and surrounding natural environment. Intelligence that would benefit the main battle force prior to an invasion, or intelligence that would benefit a direct action
Direct action
Direct action is activity undertaken by individuals, groups, or governments to achieve political, economic, or social goals outside of normal social/political channels. This can include nonviolent and violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action...
.
Direct action
The second task of the KCT is to conduct so-called direct action (DA): covert offensive actions that are small in size, conducted violently with surgical precision, in a (very) short amount of time. They come in the form of raids, ambush, and sabotage/demolition, to take out a specific target. This could be specific individuals, structures, weaponry, etc. DA is an unconventional method in warfare, because a specific objective is accomplished quickly and covertly, instead of a mass confrontation in the open, seen in conventional warfare. The ultimate purpose is to bring the enemy force to its knees through deprival, humiliation and sabotage, not necessarily destroying it (as in conventional warfare), though the enemy would still have the ability to fight.Typical DA tactics:
- capture and neutralisation, or destruction, of major facilities and material;
- capture and/or release of particular individuals or material;
- destruction of key infrastructure;
- overwhelming the enemy force by surprise with superior firepower, in the form of ambush and raids;
- sabotage of lines of communication.
The KCT is also tasked with counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
operations overseas. Domestic CT operations is the task of the Unit Interventie Mariniers of the Dutch Marine Corps.
Collateral activities
The third task of the KCT is to provide Collateral Activities. The most significant function is training and operating with indigenous forces, in order to conduct guerrilla warfareGuerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
. Another significant function is to reinforce a battle force. This means that an operational team is part of a larger whole (for example, a main battle force), although remaining independent, providing support in firepower and other strategic and tactical advantages, as well as force protection (protection of coalition troops).
Additionally, combat search-and-rescue (CSAR), Non-combatant evacuations operations (NEO) and humanitarian aid and disaster relief are other, not unimportant tasks of the KCT.
Battle honours
Arakan 1944, Nijmegen 1944, Eindhoven 1944, Vlissingen 1944 and Westkapelle 1944.Djokjakarta 1948 and Central Sumatra 1948-1949 http://www.korpscommandotroepen.nl/index.php?l=en&p=62
Bosnia-Herzegovina(1994-2001) Macadonia(2001-2002), Afghanistan (ISAF) 2001-2003 Iraq (SFIR) 2003-2005, Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) 2005-2006 and (ISAF) 2006-2010
Weaponry
- Glock 17MGlock pistolThe Glock pistol, sometimes referred to by the manufacturer as Glock "Safe Action" Pistol, is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Glock Ges.m.b.H., located in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria. The company's founder, engineer Gaston Glock, had no experience with firearm design or...
semi-automatic pistol 9x19mm Parabellum (M stands for maritime) - Mossberg 590DA1Mossberg 500Mossberg 500 is a series of shotguns manufactured by O.F. Mossberg & Sons. The 500 series comprises widely varying models of hammerless, pump action repeaters, all of which share the same basic receiver and action, but differ in bore size, barrel length, choke options, magazine capacity, and...
pump action shotgunPump action shotgunPump-action shotguns, also called 'slide action repeating shotguns' or 'slide action shotguns' are a class of shotguns that are distinguished in the way in which spent shells are extracted and fresh ones are chambered. The weapon has a single barrel above a tube magazine into which shells are...
12 gaugeGauge (bore diameter)The gauge of a firearm is a unit of measurement used to express the diameter of the barrel. Gauge is determined from the weight of a solid sphere of lead that will fit the bore of the firearm, and is expressed as the multiplicative inverse of the sphere's weight as a fraction of a pound . Thus... - FN P90FN P90The FN P90 is a selective fire personal defense weapon designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. The P90's name is taken from 1990, the year it was introduced...
submachine gunSubmachine gunA submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
5.7x28mm - Diemaco C8A1GD assault carbineCarbineA carbine , from French carabine, is a longarm similar to but shorter than a rifle or musket. Many carbines are shortened versions of full rifles, firing the same ammunition at a lower velocity due to a shorter barrel length....
5.56x45mm NATO5.56x45mm NATO5.56×45mm NATO is a rifle cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It is derived from, but not identical to, the .223 Remington cartridge...
(GD stands for geluidsdemper (suppressorSuppressorA suppressor, sound suppressor, sound moderator, or silencer, is a device attached to or part of the barrel of a firearm which reduces the amount of noise and flash generated by firing the weapon....
)) - Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifleAssault rifleAn assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
5.56x45mm NATO - Heckler & Koch HK417 assault/designated marksman rifleDesignated marksman rifleA designated marksman rifle is the weapon used by soldiers in the designated marksman role. The DM role fills the gap between a regular infantryman and a sniper and DMRs have been developed with this middle ground in mind....
7.62x51mm NATO - Heckler & Koch AG-NLHeckler & Koch AG-C/EGLMThe AG-C/EGLM is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher that attaches to any AR-15 type rifle, including the HK416/17. It is manufactured by Heckler and Koch and is derived from the AG36. EGLM stands for "Enhanced Grenade Launching Module". A stand-alone variant exists. The device attaches under the...
grenade launcherGrenade launcherA grenade launcher or grenade discharger is a weapon that launches a grenade with more accuracy, higher velocity, and to greater distances than a soldier could throw it by hand....
40x46mm40 mm grenadeThe 40mm grenade is a military grenade caliber for grenade launchers in service with many armed forces. There are two main types in service: the 40×46mm, which is a low-velocity round used in hand-held grenade launchers; and the high-velocity 40×53mm, used in mounted and crew-served weapons. The... - Accuracy International Arctic WarfareAccuracy International Arctic WarfareThe Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International...
sniper rifleSniper rifleIn military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
7.62x51mm NATO (few arms available) - Accuracy International AWSM-FAccuracy International AWMThe AWM is a sniper rifle manufactured by Accuracy International. It is also known as the AWSM , which typically denotes the .338 Lapua Magnum version.-The Arctic Warfare Magnum system:...
sniper rifle .338 Lapua Magnum - Sako TRG-41Sako TRGSako TRG-22/42 sniper rifles were developed by the Finnish firearm manufacturer SAKO of Riihimäki. The TRG-22 is designed to fire standard .308 Winchester ammunition, while the TRG-42 is designed to fire more powerful .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition and therefore has a...
sniper rifle .338 Lapua Magnum (20 arms acquired prior to the Accuracy International AWSM-F procurement) - Barrett M82A1 anti-material rifle 12.7x99mm NATO.50 BMGThe .50 Browning Machine Gun or 12.7×99mm NATO is a cartridge developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s. Entering service officially in 1921, the round is based on a greatly scaled-up .30-06 cartridge...
- FN MinimiFN MinimiThe Minimi is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of over thirty countries...
light machine gunLight machine gunA light machine gun is a machine gun designed to be employed by an individual soldier, with or without an assistant, as an infantry support weapon. Light machine guns are often used as squad automatic weapons.-Characteristics:...
5.56x45mm NATO - FN MAGFN MAGThe FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the...
general purpose machine gunGeneral purpose machine gunA general-purpose machine gun is a multi-purpose weapon: it is a machine gun firing a full-power rifle cartridge and which can be used in a variety of roles, from a bipod- or tripod-mounted infantry support weapon to a helicopter door gun or a vehicle-mounted support weapon...
7.62x51mm NATO - M2 Browning machine gun heavy machine gunHeavy machine gunThe heavy machine gun or HMG is a larger class of machine gun generally recognized to refer to two separate stages of machine gun development. The term was originally used to refer to the early generation of machine guns which came into widespread use in World War I...
12.7x99mm NATO - Heckler & Koch GMGHeckler & Koch GMGThe GMG is an automatic grenade launcher developed by Heckler & Koch for the German Army. It is also often referred to as GMW .-Design details:...
automatic grenade launcherAutomatic grenade launcherAn automatic grenade launcher or grenade machine gun is a grenade launcher firing rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine. They can be attached to a tripod. Automatic launchers include the Vektor Y3, AGS-17, and the HK GMG, which all fire at a higher velocity...
40x53mm40 mm grenadeThe 40mm grenade is a military grenade caliber for grenade launchers in service with many armed forces. There are two main types in service: the 40×46mm, which is a low-velocity round used in hand-held grenade launchers; and the high-velocity 40×53mm, used in mounted and crew-served weapons. The... - Thomson-Brandt Commando Type V 60mm light mortarMortar (weapon)A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
- M72A2 LAWM72 LAWThe M72 LAW is a portable one-shot 66 mm unguided anti-tank weapon, designed in the United States by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. Weeks, and Frank A. Spinale et al...
light anti-tank weapon - AT4AT4The AT4 is an 84-mm unguided, portable, single-shot recoilless smoothbore weapon built in Sweden by Saab Bofors Dynamics...
anti-tank weapon - Special Operations Knife (SOK) Standard issue handmade survival knifeSurvival knifeSurvival knives are knives intended for survival purposes in a wilderness environment, often in an emergency situation when the user has lost most of his/her main equipment. Military units issue some type of survival knife to pilots in the event their plane may be shot down. Survival knives can be...
by Hill Knives Holland. - L16 81mm MortarL16 81mm MortarThe United Kingdom's L16 81 mm mortar is the standard mortar used by the British armed forces. It originated as a joint design by UK and Canada. The version produced and used by Australia is named the F2 81mm Mortar, whilst the version used by the U.S...
Explosives
- C4 Charges
- M67 hand grenade
- M18 Smoke Gernade
- Mecar M72 HE grenade
- Mecar M93BG grenade
- M6 mineM6 mineThe M6, M6A1 and M6A2 are a series of metal cased circular anti-tank landmines produced by the United States, they were superseded in service by the larger M15 mine. The mine is normally painted olive green and has a large central pressure plate. In the centre of the pressure plate is an arming...
Communication
- AN/PRC-148AN/PRC-148The AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio is the most widely fielded handheld multiband, tactical software-defined radio, in use with NATO forces around the world. The radio is built by Thales Communications, a subsidiary of the Thales Group...
Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) with headset - AN/PRC-117FAN/PRC-117FThe AN/PRC-117F Multiband Manpack Radio, or Multiband Multi Mission Radio , is a man-portable, tactical software-defined combat-net radio covering the 30-512 MHz frequency range. The radio is manufactured by Harris Corporation...
Multiband Manpack Radio. It has NSA certification for the transmission of voice and data traffic up to the Top Secret level.