Armoured Battalion (Norway)

Armoured Battalion
Panserbataljonen

Insignia of the Armoured Battalion
Active 1987–present
Country  Norway
Branch Army
Type Dragoons
Role Mechanised infantry
Size One battlegroup
Part of Brigade Nord
Garrison/HQ Setermoen
Nickname "Panser"
Motto Bitit Fyrst (Strike First)
Colors Black beret, Yellow and green
Mascot Den sorte mink (The Black Mink)
Anniversaries Saint George's Day
Commanders
Current
commander
Lieutenant colonel Odd-Jøran Nytrøen

The Armoured Battalion (Norwegian: Panserbataljonen) is an infantry 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 Telemark Bataljon it also has a tank squadron equipped with the Leopard 2 main battle tank. 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 for ceremonial purposes, so its enlisted soldiers are referred to as dragoons as opposed to privates, as is the case in most of the Norwegian Army.

Organization

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