Nepal Army

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Nepalese Army (Nepali Sena)
Active 1768
Country Nepal
Branch army
Type land forces
Size 95,000
Part of Military
Garrison/HQ Kathmandu
Anniversaries 1768
Engagements Battle against Mir Kassim - 1763, Battle of Pauwa Gadhi against Captain Kinloch- 1767, Anglo-Nepal War 1814 AD, First Nepal - Tibet War, Nepal-Tibet/China War, Last Nepal-Tibet War, Nepalese Civil War
Battle honours * Royal Nepal Army in Indian Sepoy Mutiny, Royal Nepal Army in The First World War 1914-1918, Royal Nepal Army in Waziristhan War, Royal Nepal Army in Afghan War –1919, Royal Nepal Army in The Second World War, Royal Nepal Army in Hyderbad Action - 1948
Commanders
Current
commander		 General Rookmangud Katawal
Notable
commanders		 Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great

The Nepal Army (Nepali: Nepali Sena) is the army of Nepal and a major component of the Military of Nepal. The NA includes the Nepalese Army Air Service and the Nepalese Police Force. Service is voluntary and the minimum age for enrollment is 18 years.

Contents

[edit] Organization

The NA is 95,000 strong army and air service protecting the soverignty of Nepal.

The current command and control organization of Nepal's army is set forth in the 1990 Constitution. As of January 2007, it is still Nepal's active constitution. However, the current government has said that it plans to replace the 1990 constitution with a new one. The time frame for this new constitution is unknown as of now and the possibility remains that the 1990 constitution will only be amended or left as is. It is simply too early to know how this will work out. Until a new or amended constitution comes into effect, the basic layout of command and control is as follows:


[edit] Supreme Command

Atricle 119 of the 1990 constitution states that: "His Majesty the King is the Supreme Commander of the Royal Nepal Army." However, following the People's Power revolution in April 2006, the 1990 constitution has been replaced by an interim constitution which has removed the King from anything to do with the army. The army is now answerable to the civilian and the multi-party government.

The current Supreme Commander of the NA is Prime Minister, who is also the nation's Defence Minister. The NA is headed by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), currently General Rookmangud Katawal.

List of former COAS:

[edit] The National Defence Council

This Council used to have three members, the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, and the Chief of the Army Staff. In accordance with the Constitution, the King (as Supreme Commander) used to "operate and use" the "Royal Nepal Army on the recommendtion" of this council. However, this is no longer the case as the king has been removed from his position as the supreme commander of the army.

[edit] Divisions

The NA is divided into six divisions:

  • Far-Western
  • Mid-Western
  • Western
  • Central
  • Eastern
  • Valley

In addition there are 3 brigades:

  • Aviation Brigade
  • Parachute Brigade
  • Security Brigade

[edit] Operations

The Primary role of the NA is to defend the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Nepal. Their secondary role is to provide assistance to the Civilian Government of Nepal in the maintenance of internal security. Other duties include humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations, assisting in national development, nature conservation efforts and participation in international peacekeeping mission.

[edit] Foreign Involvements

[edit] Domestic Operations

Disarmament of the Khampas - 1974

In 1974, The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) was mobilized to disarm the Tibetan Khampas who had been using Nepalese soil to engage guerrilla war against the invading the Chinese forces. The Khampas had secretly created their base in Mustang (north-west Nepal) and were operating from there against China. The RNA, under immerse diplomatic pressure from China and the international community moved nine infantry units towards the Khampa post in Mustang and gave them an ultimatum to either disarm themselves and surrender or face consequences. The terms and conditions of their surrender was that they would be given Nepalese citizenship, land, and some money. The Khampa commander Wang Di agreed to surrender but eventually fled the camp. He was later killed in Doti, far-western Nepal by RNA forces while trying to loot a Nepal Police post. This was first time that the RNA was mobilized in such a large number domestically.

Nepali Maoist Peoples War

In November 2001, the Nepalese armed forces began military operations against the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). Allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses have been levelled by the media against current and former members of the high command, especially former royalist army chiefs like Prajwalla Shumsher Rana and Pyar Jung Thapa.

See also: Nepalese Civil War

[edit] International Operations

A Nepalese UN soldier.
A Nepalese UN soldier.

The Nepalese Army has contributed more than 36,000 peacekeepers to a variety of United Nations-sponsored peacekeeping missions such as:

A member of the Nepalese Quick Reactionary Force (QRF) stands ready with a variant of the Galil assault rifle.
A member of the Nepalese Quick Reactionary Force (QRF) stands ready with a variant of the Galil assault rifle.

[edit] U.S./Nepal military relations

The U.S.-Nepali military relationship focuses on support for democratic institutions, civilian control of the military, and the professional military ethic to include respect for human rights. Both countries have had extensive contact over the years. Nepali Army units have served with distinction alongside American forces in places such as Haiti, Iraq, and Somalia.

U.S.-Nepali military engagement continues today through IMET, Enhanced International Peacekeeping Capabilities (EIPC), and various conferences and seminars. The U.S. military sends many Nepalese Army officers to America to attend military schooling such as the Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. The IMET budget for FY2001 was $220,000.

The EPIC program is an interagency program between the Department of Defense and the Department of State to increase the pool of international peacekeepers and to promote interoperability. Nepal received about $1.9 million in EPIC funding.

Commander in Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) coordinates military engagement with Nepal through the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC). The ODC Nepal is located in the American Embassy, Kathmandu.

[edit] History

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Please help improve this article with relevant internal links. (April 2008)

Nepal unification campaign was a turning point in the history of the Nepalese army. Since unification was not possible without a strong army, the management of the armed forces had to be exceptional. Apart from the standard Malla era temples in Kathmandu army being organized in Gorkha, technicians and experts had to be brought in from abroad to manufacture war materials. After the Gorkhali troops captured Nuwakot, the neighbouring principality of Kathmandu (Kantipur) in the year 1744, the Gorkhali armed forces came to be known as the Royal Nepalese Army. Their gallantry, sincerity and simplicity impressed even the enemy so much that the British East- India Company started recruiting Nepalese into their forces. Since the British had fought against the RNA, which was till that time, still colloquially known as "Army of Gorkha" or "Gorkhali" army, the British took to calling their new soldiers "Gurkhas". There is still some misunderstanding that the Royal Nepalese Army is a part of the British and Indian Armies. The Gurkha Rifles existing in India and Britain are part of foreign military organizations where Nepalese are recruited.The RNA, although righfully the true heir of the title of "The original Army of the Gorkha". The proud National Army of the sovereign and independent Hindu Kingdom of Nepal with an unbroken history since the year 1744. The fact that Nepal and the Nepalese people have never been subjugated by any colonial power is a significant achievement of the Royal Nepalese Army. Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great was the founder of the Royal Nepalese Army.

Prior to 2006 the Nepal Army was known as the Royal Nepalese Army and was under the control of the King of Nepal. Yet following the Loktantra Andolan (People's Movement for Democracy) on May 18, 2006 a bill was passed by the (unelected) Nepalese parliament curtailing royal power, this included renaming the army.[1]

As the RNA Nepal in 2004, Nepal spent $99.2 million on its military (1.5% of its GDP). Since 1996 the RNA it had been heavily involved in the Nepalese Civil War but was later seen fighting pro-democracy protesters in the 2006 Loktantra Andolan. Most of its arms were supplied by India.

[edit] Bases

  • Panchkhal Military Base
  • Katmandu Army HQ

[edit] Schools

  • Nepal Army Command and Staff College, Shivapuri
  • Nepal Army School, Nagarkot
  • Military Academy, Kharipati
  • Nepal Army Recruit Training Center, Trishuli
  • Nepal Army Jungle Warfare School, Amlekhgunj
  • Nepal Army High Altitude and Mountain Warfare School, Mustang
  • Nepal Army Intelligence School, Kharipati
  • Nepal Army Logistics School, Chhauni
  • Birendra Peace Keeping Operation Training Center, Panchkhal
  • Nepal Army Para Training School, Maharajgunj

[edit] Units

  • Shree Nath Battalion - established 1762
  • Shree Kali Buksh Battalion (Engineers) - established 1762
  • Shree Barda Bahadur Battalion - established 1762
  • Shree Sabuj Battalion - established 1762
  • Shree Purano Gorakh Battalion - established 1763; Gurkha
  • Shree Devidutta Battalion 1783
  • Shree Naya Gorakh Battalion 1783 Gurkha
  • Shree Bhairavi Dal Battalion 1785
  • Shree Singh Nath Battalion 1786
  • Shree Shreejung Battalion 1783
  • Shree Ranabhim Battalion 1783
  • Shree Naya Shree Nath Battalion 1783
  • Shree Bhairavnath Battalion 1910 - parachute battalion
  • Shree Ganeshdal Battalion 1846 - signals and communications
  • Shree King's Household Cavalry 1849 - Household Calvary cermonila unit since 1952
  • Shree Vajradal Company 1806
  • Shree Bhagvati Prasad Company 1927
  • Shree Parshwavarti Company 1936 - served as PM's Body Guard unit and disbanded 1952

[edit] Equipment

Vehicles

Manufacturer Type Number Origins Details
Norinco WZ551B APC N/A Flag of the People's Republic of China People's Republic of China similar to Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé
Tata Motors LPTA 1615 TC (4x4) light truck 800? Flag of India India
GAZ BTR-70 APC 135 Flag of Russia Russia/Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union
Daimler Ferret Armoured Car 40 Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Ordnance Factory Board Indian Mine Protected Vehicle/APC 150 Flag of India India based Alvis plc/BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa Casspir on Stallion MKIII truck chassis
Alvis plc/BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa Casspir mine protected APC 90 Flag of South Africa second hand
Kaiser M35 6x6 heavy military truck N/A Flag of the United States United States
Maruti Suzuki Maruti Gypsy jeep  ? Flag of India India

Artillery

Manufacturer Type Number Origins Details
Colt's Manufacturing Company M16 rifle 25000 Flag of the United States United States
Colt's Manufacturing Company CAR-15 automatic rifle N/A Flag of the United States United States
N/A 94mm QF 3.7 inch AA gun 5A Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom N/A
Saab Bofors Dynamics Carl Gustav recoilless rifle Rocket-propelled grenade system N/A Flag of Sweden Sweden
25mm gun (Indian Field Gun) N/A Flag of India India
75 mm Pack Howitzer M1A1 6 Flag of the United States United States
3.7 inch Mountain Howitzer N/A Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
105 mm artillery pack 14 Flag of the United States United States likely 105mm Gun T8
81 mm mortar N/A Flag of the United States United States or Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom likely M252
120 mm M43 mortar 70 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union
machine guns 5000 Flag of India India
Bren light machine gun N/A Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
14.5 mm Type 56 AD Guns 30 Flag of the People's Republic of China People's Republic of China
37-40 mm L60 AD Guns 2 Flag of the People's Republic of China People's Republic of China

[edit] Uniform

NA has two type of uniform. Formal dress is for parading and official duties.

Combat dress is used by the NA for regular operational duties.

Nepalese army uses two type of camoouflage patterns:

  • Swirl
  • Nepalese 4-Color Camouflage - similar to the Japan Type I camouflage

[edit] Rank Structure

[edit] Battles

Nepalese army fights various battles on the unification campaign these battles of Nepal unification help royal Nepalese army to gain more experiences with a gift of Unified Nepal.

[edit] Battles on Defending Kingdom of Nepal

[edit] Medals and Awards

  • Mahendra Mala
  • Parama Nepal Pratap Baskara
  • Parama Nepal Pratapa Bhaskara
  • Ati Nepal Pratapa Bhaskara
  • Nepal Pratapa Bhaskara
  • Ojasvi Rajanya (Sovereign - A)
  • Ojasvi Rajanya (Sovereign - B)
  • Ojasvi Rajanya (Grand Master - A)
  • Ojasvi Rajanya (Grand Master - B)
  • Parama Ujjvala Keertimaya Nepal - Shreepada
  • Ati Ujjvala Keertimaya Nepal - Shreepada
  • Maha Ujjvala Keertimaya Nepal Shreepada

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Haviland, Charles. "Erasing the 'royal' in Nepal", BBC News, 2006-05-19. Retrieved on 2006-09-23. 

[edit] External links

Languages