The 501^e-503^e Régiment de chars de combat (R.C.C.) (French: '501st-503rd Combat Tank Regiment') was an armoured tank unit of the French Army. The regiment was the armoured component of the 1st Mechanised Brigade.^[1] The regiment was equipped with 80 tanks. The 503^e RCC was dissolved in 2009.

Quick Facts 501st-503rd Combat Tank Regiment, Active ...

501st-503rd Combat Tank Regiment
501e-503e Régiment de chars de combat
Regimental Insignia of the 501e-503e RCC
Active	31 August 1994 – 23 June 2009
Country	France
Branch	French Army
Type	Régiment de chars de combat Combat Tank Regiment
Role	Arme blindée cavalerie Armoured Armed Cavalry
Part of	1st Mechanized Brigade
Equipment	Leclerc

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The 501^e Régiment de chars de combat (501^e RCC) was merged with the 503e Régiment de chars de combat (503^e RCC) in 1994 to form the 501st/503rd RCC armed with 80 Leclerc tanks.

The regiment has participated in numerous combat engagements: the relief missions in Kosovo and the former Yugoslavia, and was found on all exterior theatres of intervention (Chad, Lebanon, Kuwait, Central African Republic, as well as Senegal , the Ivory Coast and Afghanistan).

The regiment was divided into two groups of 40 Leclerc tanks, each supported by two squadrons: one of general means and the other of maintenance.

Each group of squadron can be projected in exterior theatres of operations.

The 501^e-503^e RCC in a complete count was constituted of 80 tanks, 500 armor and diverse vehicles articulated by 1300 men.

The 503^e RCC was dissolved on June 23, 2009.

The 501^e RCC remained part of the 1st Mechanized Brigade 1^re BM until August 1, 2009 and accordingly integrated the 2nd Armoured Brigade 2^e BB.

The 239 military personnel of the 503^e reinforced the squadrons of the 501^e.

The regiment had 1300 officers and soldiers and consisted of 12 squadrons:

• EAS - Administration and Support Squadron
• 1^er Groupe d’Escadron (1^er GE) - 1st Squadron Group (x40 MBTs)
  • ECL - Command and Logistics Squadron
  • 1^er Esc - 1st Squadron
  • 2^e Esc - 2nd Squadron
  • 3^e Esc - 3rd Squadron
• 2^e Groupe d’Escadron (2^e GE) 2nd Squadron Group (x40 MBTs)
  • ECL - Command and Logistics Squadron
  • 1^er Esc - 1st Squadron
  • 2^e Esc - 2nd Squadron
  • 3^e Esc - 3rd Squadron
• EEI - Reconnaissance Squadron
• EMR - Regimental Maintenance Squadron
• 5^e Esc - 5th Reserve Squadron

• 1990–1992: Colonel Gallineau
• 1992–1994: Colonel d’Achon
• 1994–1996: Colonel de Parseval
• 1996–1998: Colonel Desportes
• 1998–2000: Colonel de Villiers
• 2000–2002: Colonel Houssay
• 2002–2004: Colonel Klotz
• 2004–2006: Colonel Goupil
• 2006–2008: Colonel Palu
• 2008–2009: Colonel Nimser (since August 1, 2009, the 501^e-503^e RCC was dissolved and was restructured under the designation of 501^e RCC).

• 31st Brigade