A unit composed of a headquarters and 2 or more companies or batteries (artillery), of anywhere from 300 to 1000 soldiers, and commanded by a lieutenant colonel. It may be part of a regiment or of a brigade.

Within PKOs, infantry battalions normally contain a headquarter, at least 3 rifle companies, a headquarters company reinforced to provide second-line support, a maintenance platoon (field repairs of vehicle, and equipment, including generators and refrigerators), an assault pioneers platoon (engineers and tradesmen.)