Norwegian Army Armoured Battalion
Encyclopedia
Panserbataljonen 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.
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.
Norwegian Army
Norway achieved full independence in 1905, and in the first century of its short life has contributed to two major conflicts, the Cold War and the War on Terror. The Norwegian Army currently operates in the north of Norway and in Afghanistan as well as in Eastern Europe. The Army is the oldest of...
. Although it is categorised as an armoured unit, the battalion (strictly a battlegroup
Battlegroup (army)
A battlegroup , or task force in modern military theory, is the basic building block of an army's fighting force. A battlegroup is formed around an infantry battalion or armoured regiment, which is usually commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel...
) 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
Leopard 2
The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and twelve...
. It was formed in 1987 and has participated in several international operations in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
(KFOR) and in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
(ISAF
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
). 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 vehicleInfantry fighting vehicleAn infantry fighting vehicle , also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle , is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide fire support for them...
. 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 2Leopard 2The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and twelve...
main battle tankMain battle tankA main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
. 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 A3GNM 109 A3GNThe M109A3GN is the Norwegian version of the M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer, designed in the United States in the early 1960s.-The M109A3GN Programme:...
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.