Nepalese Army Air Service
Encyclopedia
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-17
s, M28 Skytruck, HAL Lancer and HAL Dhruv
. The UK has delivered two Britten-Norman Islander
s 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.
This is a list of currently-active aircraft in use with the Nepalese Army Air Service:
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
|Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III
|||| light utility helicopter
|| || 4 || Upgraded
|-----
|BAE Avro 748 || || Troop Transport || || 2 ||
|-----
| PZL M28 Skytruck || || Paratroop Transport & Light Cargo || || 2 ||
|-----
| Shorts Skyvan || || Troop Transport & Cargo || || 2 ||
|-----
|Mil Mi-17
|||| transport helicopter || || 4 || Upgraded for "hot and high" conditions. GPMG guns can also be mounted to give ground support to the troops.
|-----
|Mil Mi-17 Hip-H
|||| 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.
|-----
|Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil |||| Light utility helicopter || || 7 || Upgraded
|-----
|Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma
|||| 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
|||| Utility helicopter || || 4 || Improved
|-----
|Aérospatiale Lama
|||| light utility helicopter || || 4 || Indian license-produced SA 315B variant by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
called Cheetah(utility) and Lancer(light attack)
|-----
| Britten-Norman Islander
|| || Light Transport || || 1 ||Meant for VIPs & other Army/Government Officials
One lost to crash 2011.
|-----
| Embraer Tucano || || 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 || || Troop Transport/Cargo || || 0 || Placed orders for 2 Aircraft. Delivery put on hold due to ongoing peace process.
|-----
. 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.
Tribhuvan International Airport
Tribhuvan International Airport is an international airport situated in Kathmandu, Nepal.Tribhuvan is the sole international airport in Nepal. There are two terminals, one domestic and one international...
, 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
Nepalese royal massacre
The Nepalese royal massacre occurred on Friday, June 1, 2001, at a house in the grounds of the Narayanhity Royal Palace, then the residence of the Nepalese monarchy, when the heir to the throne, Prince Dipendra killed nine members of his family and himself. However, it hasn't been proven that...
in 2001. This development led to the need for armed helicopters. Several types of aircraft have entered service since: MI-17
Mil Mi-17
The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
s, M28 Skytruck, HAL Lancer and HAL Dhruv
HAL Dhruv
The HAL Dhruv is a utility helicopter developed and manufactured by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited . Dhruv was first announced in November 1984. The ALH was designed with assistance from MBB in Germany. The Dhruv first flew in 1992; but, due to the changing demands of the Indian Army and...
. The UK has delivered two Britten-Norman Islander
Britten-Norman Islander
The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a 1960s British light utility aircraft, regional airliner and cargo aircraft designed and originally manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. The Islander is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft types produced in Europe. Although designed in...
s and two MI-17s free of charge. China decided to supply an MA-60
Xian MA60
|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...
(an Y-7 derivative). Nepal has also purchased HAL Cheetah and HAL Chetak helicopters.
The NAAS consists of about 500 members.
Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
|Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III
Aérospatiale Alouette III
The Aérospatiale Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by Sud Aviation. It was manufactured by Aérospatiale of France, and under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India as Hal Chetak and Industria Aeronautică Română in Romania.The Alouette III is the...
|||| light utility helicopter
Utility helicopter
A Utility Helicopter is a multi-purpose helicopter. A utility military helicopter can fill roles such as ground attack, air assault, cargo, surveillance and troop transport. Their size is generally between cargo helicopters and light observation helicopters....
|| || 4 || Upgraded
|-----
|BAE Avro 748 || || Troop Transport || || 2 ||
|-----
| PZL M28 Skytruck || || Paratroop Transport & Light Cargo || || 2 ||
|-----
| Shorts Skyvan || || Troop Transport & Cargo || || 2 ||
|-----
|Mil Mi-17
Mil Mi-17
The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
|||| transport helicopter || || 4 || Upgraded for "hot and high" conditions. GPMG guns can also be mounted to give ground support to the troops.
|-----
|Mil Mi-17 Hip-H
Mil Mi-17
The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
|||| 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
Sarlahi District
-Village Development Committees :*Achalgadh*Arnaha*Atrouli*Aurahi*Babarganj*Bagdaha*Bahadurpur*Balara*Bara Udhoran*Barahathawa*Basantapur*Batraul*Bela*Belhi*Belwajabdi*Bhadsar*Bhagawatipur*Bhaktipur*Bhawanipur*Brahmapuri*Chandra Nagar...
between security forces and the Maoist People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army, Nepal
People's Liberation Army, Nepal is the armed wing of the Communist Party of Nepal . The PLA was founded in 2002, in the midst of the Nepal Civil War initiated by the Maoists in 1996. The chief commander of the PLA during the war was Prachanda...
. It has been repaired. It is fitted with Night Vision equipments, GPMG Gun and provision for drop bomb facility.
|-----
|Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil |||| Light utility helicopter || || 7 || Upgraded
|-----
|Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma
Eurocopter Super Puma
The Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter marketed for both civil and military use. Originally designed and built by Aérospatiale, it is an enlarged and re-engined version of the original Aérospatiale Puma...
|||| 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
HAL Dhruv
The HAL Dhruv is a utility helicopter developed and manufactured by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited . Dhruv was first announced in November 1984. The ALH was designed with assistance from MBB in Germany. The Dhruv first flew in 1992; but, due to the changing demands of the Indian Army and...
|||| Utility helicopter || || 4 || Improved
|-----
|Aérospatiale Lama
Aérospatiale Lama
|-See also:-External links:...
|||| light utility helicopter || || 4 || Indian license-produced SA 315B variant by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia's largest aerospace companies. Under the management of the Indian Ministry of Defence, this state-owned company is mainly involved in aerospace industry, which includes manufacturing and assembling aircraft, navigation and...
called Cheetah(utility) and Lancer(light attack)
|-----
| Britten-Norman Islander
Britten-Norman Islander
The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a 1960s British light utility aircraft, regional airliner and cargo aircraft designed and originally manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. The Islander is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft types produced in Europe. Although designed in...
|| || Light Transport || || 1 ||Meant for VIPs & other Army/Government Officials
One lost to crash 2011.
|-----
| Embraer Tucano || || 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 || || Troop Transport/Cargo || || 0 || Placed orders for 2 Aircraft. Delivery put on hold due to ongoing peace process.
|-----
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 AirportBiratnagar AirportBiratnagar Airport is an airport serving Biratnagar, a city of the Morang district in the Kosi zone in Nepal.-Facilities:Nepal government owned and operated, Biratnagar Airport began its service on 6 July 1958, the same year the nation's first Royal Nepal Airlines began its scheduled domestic and...
Biratnagar - Janakpur AirportJanakpur AirportJanakpur Airport is an airport serving Janakpur, a city in and the administrative headquarters of the Dhanusa District in the Janakpur Zone in Nepal.-Facilities:...
Janakpur - Simara AirportSimara AirportSimara Airport is an airport serving Pipara Simara in Nepal. The airport was established July 4, 1958 and is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.-Airlines and destinations:...
Bara - Bharatpur AirportBharatpur AirportBharatpur Airport is an airport serving Bharatpur, a city in the Chitwan district in Narayani zone in Nepal.The airport is located southwest of Bharatpu. It is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and is served by Nepal Airlines, the national airline which earns most of its revenue...
, BharatpurBharatpur, NepalBharatpur is a city in the central-southern part of Nepal. Located in Chitwan Valley, Bharatpur is the district headquarters of the Chitwan District, as well as a separate Municipal authority, and is the seventh largest city of Nepal with the population of 89,323 . The estimated population for... - Meghuli Airport, BharatpurBharatpur, NepalBharatpur is a city in the central-southern part of Nepal. Located in Chitwan Valley, Bharatpur is the district headquarters of the Chitwan District, as well as a separate Municipal authority, and is the seventh largest city of Nepal with the population of 89,323 . The estimated population for...
- Pokhara AirportPokhara AirportPokhara Airport , is a regional airport serving Pokhara in Nepal. The airport was established July 4, 1958 and is operated by the government . It offers regular connections to Kathmandu, Jomsom and seasonal connections to Manang...
PokharaPokharaPokhara Sub-Metropolitan City is the second largest city of Nepal. Pokhara is city of close to 350,000 inhabitants in central Nepal located at 28.25°N, 83.99°E, which is the centre of the country from east to west or from north to south, 198 km west of Kathmandu or 90 km west of Mugling, and... - Jomsom AirportJomsom AirportJomsom Airport is an airport serving Jomsom, a town in the Mustang District of the Dhawalagiri Zone in Nepal. It is known as one of the world's most dangerous airfields and is a particular favourite of flight simulator fans.-Facilities:...
MustangMustang DistrictMustang District, a part of Dhawalagiri Zone, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia. The district, with Jomsom as its headquarters, covers an area of 3,573 km² and has a population of 14,981.... - Dang Airport TribhuvannagarTribhuvannagarTribhuvan Nagar, renamed as Ghorahi is a municipality of Dang Valley, Dang Deokhuri District of Rapti Zone, southwest Nepal.Tribhuvannagar can be reached by the road that goes 23 kilometers North from Lamahi, a small town on the Mahendra highway....
- Nepalgunj AirportNepalgunj AirportNepalgunj Airport is an airport serving Nepalgunj , a municipality in Banke district of the Bheri zone in Nepal.The airport has been in service since 1961. It is a major domestic hub after TIA in terms of number of airport network, and also second largest airport in Nepal in terms of land area,...
NepalgunjNepalgunjNepalgunj , also spelled Nepalganj, is a municipality in Banke District, Nepal on the Terai plains near the southern border with Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh state of India. It is 16 km south of Kohalpur and the east-west Mahendra Highway.... - Surkhet AirportSurkhet AirportSurkhet Airport is an airport in Surkhet, Nepal . This airport is one of the hub airports in Mid-Western Nepal. Surkhet Airport is 5 km from the city of Birendranagar and is sometimes referred to as Birendranagar Airport.-Airlines & Destinations:...
BirendranagarBirendranagarBirendranagar is a city in mid western Nepal, located in the Surkhet District of Bheri Zone. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 22,937 people residing in 4773 individual households.... - Jumla AirportJumla AirportJumla Airport is an airport serving Jumla, the capital of the Jumla District in the Karnali Zone in Nepal.-Facilities:The airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one asphalt paved runway designated 09/27 which measures ....
JumlaJumlaJumla can refer to a number of subjects*Mir Jumla, a prominent subahdar of Bengal*Jumla District, one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal*Jumla - a town in Nepal.... - Dipayal Airport DotiDotiFarwestern region of Nepal is also known as Doti or Doti region. The name Dotigarh has been used in the Jagar . This region is situated between River Kali boarding to the Uttarakhand in the west and Karnali river on the east...
- Mahendranagar AirportMahendranagar AirportMahendranagar Airport is an airport serving Mahendranagar, a city in the Kanchanpur district of the Mahakali zone in western Nepal.-Facilities:The airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one runway which is in length....
MahendranagarMahendranagarBhim Dutta, formerly Mahendranagar , is a city and municipality in far western Nepal, six kilometres from the border of India and the Mahakali River... - Dhangadhi Airport
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 NepalNepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. Along with the army air service pilots, the school also produces civilian pilots. The school provides MI-17
MI-17
MI-17 can refer to:* Mil Mi-17, Soviet helicopter*M-17...
, Lancers, Bell and Ecureuil Helicopter flight training exercise.
See also
- Military of NepalMilitary of NepalThe Nepalese Armed Forces are the military forces of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The current Nepalese Army traces its direct historic roots from the Royal Army of Nepal, renamed in recognition of Nepal's transition from a monarchy to a popularly elected republic in 2006...
- Armed Police Force NepalArmed Police Force Nepal- History :The Armed Police Force of Nepal is a paramilitary force with the basic roles of catalyst in maintaining law and order and containing insurgency cracking down terrorist activities. Its foundation is similar to the paramilitary force. Service is voluntary and the minimum age for...
- Nepalese Police ForceNepalese Police ForceThe Nepalese Police Force is the national police of Nepal. It is independent of the Nepalese Army. Although once brought under the Army in the name of "Unified Command", it is taken as a force separate from the Army....
- National Investigation Department of NepalNational Investigation Department of NepalThe National Investigation Department , Nepal is the government’s main intelligence agency collecting information related to country’s internal security and functions under The Home Ministry. Its head office is situated at Barafbagh inside Singh Durbar...
External links
- Nepal Army Air Wing @ scramble.nl
- Official website of the Nepal Army