As a regular battalion, it will have a battalion headquarters, a support company, three light infantry companies and a training company with conscripts.
The battalion began with the establishment of its battalion headquarters, followed by the creation of the 1st Company, soon after the battalion’s formation in 2019. On 1 January 2020, the 2nd Company was formed with a 3rd Company to follow in 2021. In parallel, specialised platoons comprising snipers, anti-tank and mortar teams, and medics of the Support Company will be added. When fully operational in 2023, the battalion will consist of approximately 500 specialised regular soldiers and about 150 new conscripts.
Weapons and Equipment
The core weapons of the light infantry companies include:
- Colt Canada 5,56mm C8IUR assault rifle
- US Ordnance 7,62mm M60-E6 light machine gun
- Colt Canada 7.62mm C20 sniper rifle (for marksmen)
- M72 LAW (light anti-tank weapon) against light armoured threats
Battalion members will receive the same uniform and personal protection equipment as every Danish soldier. The battalion’s heavier equipment is detached to the Support Company in order to keep the infantry companies light and agile.
The Support Company will have a:
- Sniper section – equipped with new 8.6mm Accuracy International AXMC rifles
- Anti-tank platoon – equipped with an AT missile system to counter heavy armoured threats
- Mortar platoon – equipped with 81mm mortars
The role of the mortar platoon is to provide initial fire support for the battalion with each infantry company having their own intrinsic mortar fire control teams. Both the anti-tank missile and mortar systems are still in the procurement process.
Typical to combat battalions, its support assets, such as artillery observers, JTACs (Joint Terminal Attack Controller), engineers and others, will be attached to the battalion on a case-by-case basis. Otherwise, Lt Col Stroier warns that “we have to accept our limitations, if operating alone!”
Light Infantry vs. Heavy Equipment
Although essentially a light unit, the XIII Light Infantry Battalion still requires its heavy equipment and a substantial amount of supplies once deployed. In order to carry the required days of supply (DOS), a number of ATVs, 4×4 vehicles and trucks, will support the battalion’s infantry companies. The Support Company will also be equipped with a mix of ATVs, 4×4 vehicles – some with a trailer – and 8×8 trucks in order to transport its heavier equipment and the remaining DOS. Different vehicle types are currently being tested in order to balance the need for lifting equipment and maintain as low a logistical footprint as possible.
