Nepalese Army Air Service
| Nepalese Army Air Service | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1965 - present |
| Country |  Nepal |
| Branch | Nepal Army |
| Type | Army aviation |
| Role | Battlefield support and transport |
| Size | 500 |
| Part of | Military |
| Garrison/HQ | Kathmandu Surkhet Dipayal |
| Engagements | Nepalese Civil War |
Nepal has no separate Air Force but flies several aircraft within Nepalese Army Service, also known as the Nepal Army Air Wing. It was formed in 1960s, but finally became an air force unit in 1979. It is now again a part of the Army and has very limited combat capabilities. The main objective of this flying element is transport, flying paratroopers and assistance in case of an emergency (e.g. natural disasters). Apart from the 11th Brigade the country has established a VIP Flight from Tribhuvan Airport, mostly the aircraft are stationed at Kathmandu, Surkhet and Dipayal.
From 1996 - 2006 the country was in civil war against Maoist rebels who strove to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and establish a communist republic. Their attacks increased since the massacre of the Royal Family in 2001. This development led to the need for armed helicopters. Several types of aircraft have entered service since: MI-17s, M28 Skytruck, HAL Lancer and HAL Dhruv. The UK has delivered two Britten-Norman Islanders and two MI-17s free of charge. China decided to supply an MA-60 (an Y-7 derivative). Nepal has also purchased HAL Cheetah and HAL Chetak helicopters.
The NAAS consists of about 500 members.
Contents |
[edit] Aircraft
This is a list of currently-active aircraft in use with the Nepalese Army Air Service:
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III |  France |
light utility helicopter | 1 | Upgraded | |
| BAE Avro 748 |  United Kingdom |
Troop Transport | 1 | ||
| PZL M28 Skytruck |  Poland |
Paratroop Transport & Light Cargo | 2 | ||
| Shorts Skyvan | United Kingdom |
Troop Transport & Cargo | 2 | ||
| Mil Mi-17 |  Russia |
transport helicopter | 2 | Upgraded for "hot and high" conditions. GPMG guns can also be mounted to give ground support to the troops. | |
| Mil Mi-17 Hip-H | Russia |
transport helicopter/Light Ground Support | 5 | 2 delivered free of charge from UK and 3 bought by Nepal government; one of the MI-17 helicopters got damaged in April 2006 during clashes in Sarlahi District between security forces and the Maoist People's Liberation Army. It has been repaired. It is fitted with Night Vision equipments, GPMG Gun and provision for drop bomb facility. [1] | |
| Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil | France |
Light utility helicopter | 7 | Upgraded | |
| Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma | France |
utility helicopter | AS 332L | 2 | Stretched civil version with uprated engines, lengthened fuselage, more cabin space, increased fuel capacity and airline like interior. |
| HAL Dhruv |  India |
Utility helicopter | 4 | Improved | |
| Aérospatiale Lama | India |
light utility helicopter | 4 | Indian license-produced SA 315B variant by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited called Cheetah(utility) and Lancer(light attack) | |
| Britten-Norman Islander | United Kingdom |
Light Transport | 1 | Meant for VIPs & other Army/Government Officials
One lost to crash 2011. |
|
| Embraer Tucano |  Brazil |
Counter Insurgency Aircraft/Light Attack | Nepal had planned to buy 30 Aircraft during Maoist insurgency, during King's direct rule. Purchase put on hold due to ongoing peace process. | ||
| Xian MA-60 |  People's Republic of China |
Troop Transport/Cargo | 0 | Placed orders for 2 Aircraft. Delivery put on hold due to ongoing peace process. |
[edit] Facilities
In all Nepal there are 36 airfields that are able to support military operations. See also the full list of airports in Nepal
- Tribhuvan Airport Kathmandu,
- Chandragadhi Airport Jhapa
- Biratnagar Airport Biratnagar
- Janakpur Airport Janakpur
- Simara Airport Bara
- Bharatpur Airport, Bharatpur
- Meghuli Airport, Bharatpur
- Pokhara Airport Pokhara
- Jomsom Airport Mustang
- Dang Airport Tribhuvannagar
- Nepalgunj Airport Nepalgunj
- Surkhet Airport Birendranagar
- Jumla Airport Jumla
- Dipayal Airport Doti
- Mahendranagar Airport Mahendranagar
- Dhangadhi Airport
[edit] Army pilots training School
The Nepal Army Air service has its flying and Helicopter Pilots training school since 2004 within the 11no. Brigade and is the only Helicopter Pilot training school in Nepal. Along with the army air service pilots, the school also produces civilian pilots. The school provides MI-17, Lancers, Bell and Ecureuil Helicopter flight training exercise.
[edit] See also
- Military of Nepal
- Armed Police Force Nepal
- Nepalese Police Force
- National Investigation Department of Nepal
