Norwegian Army Armoured Battalion

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Panserbataljonen
Insignia of Panserbataljonen
Active	1987-present
Country	Norway
Branch	Army
Type	Armoured Cavalry
Role	Mechanised Infantry
Size	One battlegroup
Part of	Hærens styrker
Garrison/HQ	Setermoen
Motto	Bitit Fyrst (Strike First)
Colors	Black beret
Commanders
Current commander	Lieutenant colonel Frode Ommundsen

The Panserbataljonen (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 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 including Afghanistan. The battalion is a cavalry battalion and the soldiers are referred to as dragoons as opposed to privates in the rest of the army.

[edit] Organization

Stridsvogneskadronen - Stridsvogneskadronen (armoured squadron) is the battalion's main strike weapon. The armoured squadron's main equipment is the Leopard 2 main battle tank.
Stormeskadronen 3 - the infantry company is organised along similar lines to the armoured squadron,three rifle platoons. The squadron is equipped with the CV90/30 infantry fighting vehicle. however, as infantry, the soldiers of this company can get to areas that are inaccessible to both MBTs and IFVs, with the consequence that it is the most flexible unit. The soldiers in this squadron and squadron 4 are called stormere (assault soldiers)
Stormeeskadron 4 - Also a mech inf squadron. Same role as Esk 3.
Kampstøtteeskvadronen - Combat Support, various units including artillery and medics.
Kavalerieskadronen - Kavalerieksadronen (Cavalry squadron) is a recon unit.

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