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(s) | "Panser", |
| Motto(s) | Norwegian: Bitit Fyrst English: Strike First |
| Colours | Yellow and green Soldiers wear black beret |
| Mascot(s) | Den sorte mink (The Black Mink) |
| Anniversaries | Saint George's Day |
| Engagements | Kosovo War (KFOR) War in Afghanistan (ISAF) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lieutenant colonel Lars Jansen |
| Insignia | |
| Standard | |
The Armoured Battalion (Norwegian: Panserbataljonen) is the first battalion and 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 Battalion, the unit also has a tank squadron equipped with the Leopard 2 main battle tank. The battalion is recognised as a cavalry unit for ceremonial purposes, so its conscripted soldiers are referred to as dragoons as opposed to privates, as is the case in most of the Norwegian Army.
The motto of the battalion is Bitit fyrst (Old Norse for "Strike First"), referring to the offensive role of the battalion.