43rd Mechanized Brigade (Netherlands)

43 Mechanised Brigade
43 Mechanised Brigade insignia
Active	July 1949–present
Country	Netherlands
Branch	Royal Netherlands Army
Type	Mechanised Infantry
Size	3,500 active personnel; 1,000 reservists
Garrison/HQ	Johannes Post Kazerne, Havelte
Colors	Red & Blue
Mascot(s)	Bison
Engagements	War in Afghanistan
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier General Roland de Jong
Insignia
NATO Map Symbol	43 1

43 Mechanised Brigade (Dutch: 43 Gemechaniseerde Brigade) is one of the three combat brigades of the Royal Netherlands Army, the others being the 13th Light Brigade and 11th Airmobile Brigade. The brigade has armored and non-armored vehicles at its disposal, and is tasked with conducting combat operations, peacekeeping and various ceremonial tasks.^[1]

On 17 March 2016, the 43rd Mechanised Brigade was integrated into the 1st Panzer Division of the German Army.^[2] At the same time, the German 414 Tank Battalion became subordinate to the 43rd Mechanised Brigade.^[3] In this battalion one of the four companies is manned by Dutch personnel equipped with 18 German Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks.^[4]

The Brigades Headquarters as well as most of the units are located at the Johannes Post Barracks in Havelte, in the province Drenthe.