Admiral Benelux
The Admiral Benelux (ABNL) is the Commanding Officer of the combined military staff of the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Naval Component of the Belgian Armed Forces.
| Admiral Benelux | |
|---|---|
Standard of the ABNL | |
Incumbent Vice Admiral René Tas since September 2021 | |
| Royal Netherlands Navy Belgian Navy | |
| Abbreviation | ABNL |
| Formation | 1 January 1996 |
| First holder | G.G. Hooft |
| Deputy | Commander of the Belgian Naval Component |
The position of ABNL was created together with the combination of the Staffs of the two contributing navies on March 28, 1995, in the BeNeSam Accord. The ABNL is responsible for the combined operations of the Dutch and Belgian navies and can be tasked with the responsibility for the operational readiness and deployment of the combined fleets in joint operations, both in war- and peacetime operations. Most of all the ABNL is responsible for the efficient use of joint material and personnel and oversees the joint training programs of the two navies.
The Commander is Vice Admiral René Tas who is also serving as the Commander of the Naval Forces.