Armoured Brigade (Finland)

Armoured Brigade
Panssariprikaati

Insignia of the Armoured Brigade.
Active 1942–1944 Panssaridivisioona (Armoured Division)
1946–1952: Kevyt Prikaati (Light Brigade)
1952–: Panssariprikaati (Armoured Brigade)
Country  Finland
Branch Finnish Army
Type Heavy armoured
Size 1,700 conscripts, 600 career personnel[1]
Garrison Parolannummi, Hattula
Flag
March Parolan marssi [2]
Anniversaries 28.6 - Founding of the Finnish Armoured Division [3]
Equipment Leopard 2A4
BMP-2
Engagements Kuuterselkä
Äyräpää
Tali-Ihantala
Commanders
Current
commander
Colonel Pekka Järvi
Notable
commanders
Major General Ruben Lagus, General Ari Puheloinen

The Armoured Brigade (Finnish: Panssariprikaati) is a Finnish Army training unit located in Parolannummi, near Hämeenlinna, in southern Finland. The brigade specialises in training armoured and anti-aircraft troops. In case of mobilization, the Finnish Defence Forces would field one armoured brigade. The war-time armoured brigade has a strength of around 5,700 men, and fields 63 main battle tanks, 110 infantry fighting vehicles, circa 100 armoured personnel carriers, mainly of Soviet origin, and roughly 70 other armoured vehicles. However, the remaining war-time armoured brigade is being phased out and replaced by smaller mechanized battle groups. The new mechanized battle groups will field the Leopard 2 MBTs that are not included in the organization of the contemporary war-time armoured brigades.

Organisation

Since Finnish Defence Forces reform in 2015, the structure of the Armoured Brigade is the following:[4]

The Armoured Band (Panssarisoittokunta) was disbanded in 2013 as part of the FDF reform.[5] After disbandment of Military Music School and Häme Regiment, the Conscript band was attached under Armored Brigade's command.[6] Following the disbandment of Signals Regiment in 2014, the Center of Electronic Warfare was attached to the brigade.[7] Armoured School, which trains reserve officers and career personnel was attached to Army Academy in 2015.[8]

Training equipment

References

  1. Varusmiehiä kouluttavat joukko-osastot 2008. Reserviläinen 1/2008, p.38. ISSN 0557-8477 (in Finnish)
  2. Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu: "Suomen puolustusvoimat ennen ja nyt" WSOY, 2001, page 328. (in Finnish)
  3. "Panssariprikaati juhlisti vuosipäiväänsä lipunnostolla". (27.6.2014) Ruotuväki, Retrieved on 26 August 2015. (in Finnish)
  4. "Panssariprikaatin organisaatio 1.1.2015". (22.1.2015) Finnish Defence Forces, Retrieved on 26 August 2015. (in Finnish)
  5. "Panssarisoittokunnan viimeiset varusmiessoittajat kotiutuvat". (28.8.2013) Hämeen Sanomat, Retrieved on 26 August 2015. (in Finnish)
  6. "Hämeen rykmentti paloitellaan pitkin maata". (8.2.2012) YLE, Retrieved on 26 August 2015. (in Finnish)
  7. "Viestirykmentin taival kesti 70 vuotta – juhlaparaati oli samalla päätösparaati". (11.12.2014) YLE, Retrieved on 26 August 2015. (in Finnish)
  8. "Maasotakoulu - maavoimien puolustushaarakoulu uudistui". (1.1.2015) Puolustusvoimat, Retrieved on 26 August 2015. (in Finnish)
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