KATHMANDU, Oct 16: The US has announced that it will provide the Nepali Army with two helicopters and two sky trucks. These helicopters and sky trucks will be used to enhance disaster response and the army's air capacity.
The US is set to supply these aircraft and helicopters as part of military assistance valued at about Rs 13.38 billion.
Brigadier General Gaurav Kumar KC, who is also the spokesperson of Nepal Army, confirmed that they have received information regarding the provision of two aircraft and two helicopters from the US. "We have received information that the US will provide the Nepali Army with two sky trucks and two Bell helicopters. It seems that the process of bringing them is about to begin. However, there are no further details at this time," said Spokesperson KC.
During his visit to Nepal on August 16, US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma announced the provision of two aircraft (sky trucks) and two Bell helicopters to the Nepali Army. At that time, he expressed the US commitment to military assistance during his meetings with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba.
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"The US Deputy Secretary of State committed to providing the Nepali government with two sky trucks and two Bell helicopters as military supplies for disaster response. Various processes must be completed for this," said Nepali Army spokesperson KC.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, during a meeting with Prime Minister Oli and Foreign Minister Deuba, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma committed to providing the helicopters and sky trucks as grant assistance to the Nepali Army for disaster response.
Prime Minister's Press Coordinator Ram Sharan Bajagain stated that during the meeting with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, US Deputy Secretary of State Berman committed to such assistance. "During his visit to Nepal, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma made a commitment to provide two sky trucks and two Bell helicopters to the Nepali government as military aid for disaster response during his meeting with the Prime Minister," Press Coordinator Bajagain said.
After Deputy Secretary of State Verma returned to his country, the US State Department issued a statement expressing America's commitment to enhancing Nepal's disaster response capabilities and military capacity. In this regard, Foreign Minister Deuba thanked Verma and the State Department via social media for providing two sky trucks (aircraft) and two Bell helicopters as a 'gift' to support Nepal's disaster management efforts.
Nepali Army had previously received two sky trucks from the United States in 2019. In December 2019, the Nepali Army received two cargo aircraft (sky trucks) as part of US grant assistance.
The value of the two sky trucks was $22.48 million. Currently, the Nepali Army has only eight helicopters in operational status. Ten of the army's aircraft and helicopters are grounded, among which five can be repaired with general maintenance.
Five of the grounded helicopters of Nepali Army cannot be repaired with general maintenance. Nepali Army has been deploying its helicopters during times of disaster. The army keeps seven helicopters ready for search, rescue, and relief operations for those affected by floods, landslides, and inundation.
The fleet includes helicopters such as Mi-17, ALH, Agusta, and Écureuil. The army has been actively utilizing its helicopters during disasters, including floods and landslides.
