45 pc of its weapons said to be outdated
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KATHMANDMU, Dec 15: Nepal Army (NA), which has been seeking fresh procurement of arms and ammunition since the last few years, has now sought an allocation of Rs 8.66 billion without further delay in order to replace outdated and worn-out weaponry as part of a 10-year plan to upgrade and modernize.
Responding to the State Affairs Committee at Parliament on Tuesday, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Rajendra Chhetri stated that NA has not purchased any new weapons since the last eight years. “Even after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), no supply of arms and ammunition has taken place,” General Chhetri said.
Of the total arms and ammunition in the possession of NA, over 45 percent was outdated and needed to be replaced very soon, Chhetri said adding that the army was deficient in its minimum stocks and did not have sufficient arms for training purposes.
“So we are seeking an allocation of Rs 1 billion every fiscal year for the required procurements,” the general told the parliamentary committee, in the presence of Deputy Prime and Defense Minister Bhim Rawal.
“We have been receiving less than 10-15 percent of our demands every year although it would be practicable to allocate 7 percent of total national budget for defence,” Chhetri added.
Not long ago, the army was dragged into controversy for initiating the procurement of Galil rifles from Isreal without a proper bidding process.
However, the army continued with the procurement process, stating that it was not necessary to issue a tender notice as procurements can be made via the respective foreign embassies.
NA to invest in hydropower
Stressing the need of investment in hydropower projects, CoAS Chhetri informed that NA was about to invest in hydropower exclusively. Citing the government’s plan to mobilize NA in hydropower projects, the army is preparing to invest from its Welfare Fund in the 12.25 MW Madikhola Hydropower Project in Rolpa District after a detailed study of the modalities, he said.
The Madikhola project incorporates three projects-- 12.25 MW Madichaour hydropower project, 8.4 MW Madi project and 3.6 MW Lower Madi project, according to NA.
At the meeting, NA also informed the committee of the need for reviewing its Military Service Regulations for a more effective organizational structure and assured it of rebalance and restructuring in order to eradicate any lapses.
NA likewise sought Rs 4.83 billion for the reconstruction of infrastructures damaged by the devastating earthquakes and for continuation of its Bunker to Barracks program.
The government had allocated Rs 1.22 billion for continuation of Bunker to Barracks in the current fiscal year. At the meeting, DPM Rawal spoke about the ongoing drafting of bills relating to the National Security Council, as per the provisions of the new constitution.
The meeting has issued instructions to the Defence Ministry to device policy for national security and to review policies for making the national army more competent and professional, without further delay.
Lawmakers had raised issues related to anomalies in recruitment, participation in UN peacekeeping missions and purchase of arms. NA officials denied there were any anomalies but gave assurances of rectifying them if any.
