Artikel 97: Armed Forces

Artikel 97
  1. There shall be armed forces for the defence and protection of the interests of the Kingdom, and in order to maintain and promote the international legal order.
  2. The Government shall have supreme authority over the armed forces.

Explanation

Please note: Only the Dutch-language version of the Constitution has legal effect. 

The Kingdom has an armed force. The government has supreme authority over it. It therefore determines where and when the various branches of the armed forces, such as the army, navy, and air force, are deployed. The armed forces have the task of:

  • the defence of the Kingdom
  • the protection of the interests of the Kingdom
  • the maintenance and promotion of the international rule of law.