Weapons of the Royal Netherlands Navy

Equipment

Equipment Introduction

Guns
Guns were before World War I obtained from Krupp in Germany, and when after the Great War the weaponsdivision of Krupp transferred to Bofors in Sweden, the navy followed and made most of her purchases there. The differing calibres caused logistical problems during the war. The Dutch navy was relatively a small navy, but could rely on a large amount of technical expertise among its men. This resulted in innovations, some of which were even ahead of the larger navies. Some examples are among others the introduction of the Hazemeyer 40 mm AA-mount, the schnorkel to allow submarines to use their diesels while submerged and the periscope-antenna.

Torpedoes
The RNN had the tendency to buy equipment where it was best and cheapest, and this resulted in a wide variety of types, causing supply problems during the war.

Mines
Throughout this century, the focus of the navy lay on guerrilla warfare at sea, and extensive minefields were a keyelement in this strategy.

Depthcharges
The most widely used weapon against submarines.

Asdic
Electronic devices to detect submerged submarines.

Radar
Electronic devices meant to detect aircraft and surface ships at a distance.

Aircraft
The eyes of the fleet, carried on board the warships and deployed when necessary.

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Equipment	Introduction
Guns Guns were before World War I obtained from Krupp in Germany, and when after the Great War the weaponsdivision of Krupp transferred to Bofors in Sweden, the navy followed and made most of her purchases there. The differing calibres caused logistical problems during the war.	The Dutch navy was relatively a small navy, but could rely on a large amount of technical expertise among its men. This resulted in innovations, some of which were even ahead of the larger navies. Some examples are among others the introduction of the Hazemeyer 40 mm AA-mount, the schnorkel to allow submarines to use their diesels while submerged and the periscope-antenna.
Torpedoes The RNN had the tendency to buy equipment where it was best and cheapest, and this resulted in a wide variety of types, causing supply problems during the war.
Mines Throughout this century, the focus of the navy lay on guerrilla warfare at sea, and extensive minefields were a keyelement in this strategy.
Depthcharges The most widely used weapon against submarines.
Asdic Electronic devices to detect submerged submarines.
Radar Electronic devices meant to detect aircraft and surface ships at a distance.
Aircraft The eyes of the fleet, carried on board the warships and deployed when necessary.