It is the largest service branch of the Suriname National Army.
The current commander of the Surinamese Land Forces is Lieutenant Colonel Ashok Jagdew.
Upon independence in 1975, the military of Suriname became Surinamese Armed Forces (Surinaamse Krijgsmacht).
After a coup on 25 February 1980, the armed forces became the National Army (Nationaal Leger).
In 1980 the Surinamese Land Forces was formed as a division of the National Army.