The 501st-503rd Tank Regiment was an armoured cavalry unit in the French Army

French Army

The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...

. It was the armoured component of the 1st Mechanised Brigade

1st Mechanised Brigade (France)

The 1st Mechanised Brigade is a mechanised unit of the French Army. The brigade is heir to the honours and traditions of the 1st Armoured Division, created during World War II.-History:...

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History

The Chief of Staff of the French Army decided on 1 September 1990 to create a new experimental armoured regiment of 80 tanks with two squadron groups (Groupes d’Escadrons, GE). Each group would consist of three combat squadrons and one command and logistics squadron.

The 4th Dragoon Regiment and 503rd Tank Regiment were chosen to become the squadron groups of the new regiment. The regiment was created on 31 August 1994 and named 501st-503rd Tank Regiment when the 501st Tank Regiment was dissolved; the 4th Dragoon Regiment was renamed 501st Tank Regiment.

Composition

• Two Squadron Groups
  • Three Combat Squadrons
  • One Command and Logistics Squadron
• One general staff squadron
• One maintenance squadron
• One reconnaissance squadron
• One reserve squadron