Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force

Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force
Koninklijke Luchtmacht
Badge of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
Founded27 March 1953 (1953-03-27)
Country Netherlands
TypeAir force
Space force
RoleAerial warfare
Space warfare
Size9,467 personnel (2025)
  • 7,051 active military personnel
  • 1,349 civilian personnel
  • 1,067 reservists
Part ofNetherlands Armed Forces
Mottos
  • Latin: Parvus numero, magnus merito
  • "Small in numbers, great in deeds"
MarchParade March of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
Websitedefensie.nl
Commanders
CommanderLieutenant-general André Steur
Deputy CommanderRobert Adang
Insignia
Roundel
Flag
Logo
Aircraft flown
FighterF-35A
Attack helicopterAH-64E
Cargo helicopterCH-47F
Multirole helicopterAS532 U2, NH90 NFH
ReconnaissanceMQ-9 Block 5
TrainerPC-7
TransportC-130H
TankerA330 MRTT

The Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force (RNLASF) (Dutch: Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu, lit.'Royal Air Force') is the air and space branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. The Royal Netherlands Air Force was created in 1953 to succeed its predecessor, the Luchtvaartafdeeling (lit.'Aviation Department') of the Royal Netherlands Army, which was founded in 1913. In 2025 the Royal Netherlands Air Force was renamed the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force. The aerobatic display team of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, active from 1979 until 2019, was the Solo Display Team.