Norwegian Army Armoured Battalion

Panserbataljonen
Insignia of Panserbataljonen
Active	1987-present
Country	Norway
Branch	Army
Type	Dragoons
Role	Mechanised Infantry
Size	One battlegroup
Part of	Brigade Nord (Norwegian Army)
Garrison/HQ	Setermoen
Nickname	"Panser"
Motto	Bitit Fyrst (Strike First)
Colors	Black beret
Mascot	Den sorte mink (The Black Mink)
Commanders
Current commander	Lieutenant colonel Terje Hanssen

Panserbataljonen (The Armoured Battalion) is a unit of the Norwegian Army. Although it is categorised as an armoured unit, the battalion (strictly a battlegroup) primarily serves in the mechanised infantry role. As with the Norwegian Army's two other mechanised infantry units, it also has a tank squadron equipped with Leopard 2. It was formed in 1987 and has participated in several international operations in the Balkans (KFOR) and in Afghanistan (ISAF). The battalion is a recognised as a cavalry unit, and so the soldiers are referred to as dragoons as opposed to privates, as is the case in the rest of the Norwegian Army.

Organization

• Kavalerieskadronen - The first squadron, known as ESK1, KavEsk or Kavalerieskadronen (The Cavalry Squadron) is a reconnaissance unit. Its roles also include artillery observation and a squad of sharpshooters. It also uses the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle. The unit colour is blue.
• Stridsvogneskadronen - The second squadron, known as ESK2, Strv esk 2 or Stridsvogneskadronen (The Armoured Squadron) is the battalion's main strike weapon. The squadron operates with the Leopard 2 main battle tank. The unit colour is red.
• Stormeskadron 3 - The third squadron, known as ESK3 or Stormeskadron 3 (Assault Squadron 3). The squadron's role is to support ESK2 with mechanised infantry support. The squadron is based on quick and aggressive assaults with infantry squads supported by their CV90 infantry fighting vehicles. The unit colour is yellow. The Motto of the Esquadron is "Semper Paratus", which means always ready.
• Stormeskadron 4 - The fourth squadron, known as ESK4 or Stormeskadron 4 (Assault Squadron 4). The squadron has the same role as that of ESK3. The unit colour is green.
• Kampstøtteeskadronen - The fifth squadron, known as ESK6 or Kampstøtte Eskadron 6 (Combat Support Squadron 6). The largest and most complex of the battalion's units, its capabilities include repair support, logistics, medivac and mortar support. The unit is also responsible for the protection and operation of the battalion's base of operations. The unit colour is black.
• Batteri Olga - The battalion's artillery support is provided by Batteri Olga (Battery 'O') of the Artilleribataljonen (Artillery Battalion), equipped with the M 109 A3GN Self-propelled howitzer.

ESK5 is no longer operational. Its role as supporting the battalion's base of operations was transferred to ESK6.

The motto of the battalion is Bitit fyrst (Old Norse for "Strike First"), referring to the offensive role of the battalion.

External links

• Norwegian Army page on Panserbattaljonen (in Norwegian)