Nepal Army

Nepalese Army (Formerly known as Royal Nepali Army) (नेपाली सेना) (गोर्खाली सेना)
Roundel of the Nepalese Army
Active	1768 - present (248 years)
Country	Nepal
Allegiance	Government of Nepal
Type	Army
Size	180,000[1]
Garrison/HQ	Kathmandu
Motto	कायर हुनु भन्दा मर्नु राम्रो (Better To Die Than Be a Coward)
Anniversaries	Maha Shivaratri
Engagements	Battle against Mir Qasim 1763 Battle of Pauwa Gadhi against Captain Kinloch, 1767 Anglo-Nepalese War First Nepal - Tibet War Nepal-Tibet/China War Last Nepal-Tibet War World War I (Casualties) Nepalese Civil War
Commanders
Current commander	General Rajendra Chhetri
Notable commanders	Kalu Pande Amar Singh Thapa

Nepalese Army Lance Cpl. Nanu Tamang, with the Birendra Peace Operation Training Center, escorts a role player at the vehicle checkpoint training lane during Khaan Quest 2013 at Five Hills Training Area 130807-M-DR618-122

The Nepali Army (Nepali: नेपाली सेना) or Gurkha Army (Nepali: गोर्खाली सेना) is the army of Nepal and a major component of the Military of Nepal. Service is voluntary and the minimum age for enrollment is 18 years. The army was known as The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) during the monarchy system in Nepal. It was renamed into Nepal Army since 28 May 2008 with the abolishing of 238-year-old monarchy. Unlike other military forces around the world, the Nepalese Army has a very strict joining policy, similar to the Gurkha regiments, as it is highly recommended to have a distinguished period in the police first.

History

Nepal army's Guruju platan in traditional uniform

Khukuri symbolic weapon of the Nepalese Army

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 Gorkhas, 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 their enemy so much that the British East-India Company started recruiting Nepalese into their forces. Since the British had fought against then RNA, which was till that time, still colloquially known as "Army of Gorkha" or "Gorkhali" army, the British called their new soldiers "Gurkhas". The Indian army, after gaining their independence from the British, started calling them "Gorkha". In 1946, the Royal Nepalese Army troops were led by Commanding General Sir Baber Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana at the Victory Parade in London.^[2]

There are reports that the British Indian Army's 268th Indian Infantry Brigade during the Second World War had two Nepalese units operate as part of it. The brigade does not appear to have served outside India.

The Gurkha Rifles existing in India and Britain are part of foreign military organizations where Nepalis are recruited. The NA are rightfully the true heir of the title of "The original Army of the Gorkha".

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 Nepalese parliament curtailing royal power, this included renaming the army.^[3]

In 2004 Nepal spent $99.2 million on its military (1.5% of its GDP). Since 2002 the RNA had been involved in the Nepali Civil War they were also used to quell the pro-democracy protesters in April 2006 Loktantra Andolan. Most of its arms are supplied by India.

Organization

The Nepal Army has about 95,000 infantry army and air service members protecting the sovereignty of Nepal.

Supreme Command

Until 2006, the King of Nepal was in control of all military forces in the country. The National Army was renamed from Royal Nepalese Army to Nepalese Army after the recent national conversion from a monarchy to a republic. The position of the Supreme Commander of the Nepal Army now is the President of Nepal.

The National Defence Council

This Council used to have three members, the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, and the Chief of the Army Staff.

Now, Nepal is officially known as Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The declaration of republic meant that the king is consigned to the history books making the President the supreme commander of NA.

Divisions

The Army is divided into six divisions:

• Far-Western
• Mid-Western
• Western
• Central
• Eastern (2nd Brigade, 18th Brigade, 21st Brigade)^[4]
• Valley
• HQ

In addition there are 3 independent brigades:

• Aviation Brigade
• Parachute Brigade
• Security Brigade

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.

Foreign Involvements

• 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

Domestic Operations

Disarmament of the Khampas - 1974

In 1974, the then Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) was mobilized to disarm the Tibetan Khampas, who had been using Nepalese soil to engage in guerilla warfare against the invading Chinese forces. The Khampas operated mainly from a base secretly established at Mustang in northwest Nepal. The RNA, under immense diplomatic pressure from China and the international community, moved nine infantry units toward Mustang, and gave the Khampas an ultimatum to either disarm themselves and surrender, or face attack. The terms and conditions of their surrender were that they would be given Nepalese citizenship, land, and money, and free schooling for their children. The Khampa commander, General Wangdi, agreed to surrender but eventually fled the camp. He was later killed by RNA forces in Doti, in far western Nepal, while trying to loot a Nepal Police post. This was the first time the RNA had mobilized domestically in such large numbers. The Nepali government failed to provide any of the compensation agreed to in the surrender terms.

International Operations

The Nepalese Army has contributed more than 100,000 peacekeepers to a variety of United Nations-sponsored peacekeeping missions such as:

• United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),
• UNOSOMII the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), UN Operational Mission Somalia II,
• UNMIH the United Nations Mission in Haiti.
• UNAMSIL - Currently, Nepal is sending an 800-man battalion to serve in the peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).
• UNMIS - The Nepalese Army has sent a protection company of 200 personnel in United Nations Mission In Sudan. The Redeployment Coordination HQ at Kassala is also manned by the Nepalese contingent. The RCHQ was intended to monitor withdrawals from the eastern sectors of the UNMIS area in accordance with the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Accord.

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

• UNDOF
• MINUSMA - For the first time,^[5][6] the Nepalese Army has a company of EOD of 140 personnel specially dedicated for improvised explosive device (IED) and ordnance disposal mission in Mali.

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. The US would support Nepal with arms, ammunition and additional commandos and Soldiers if war began with its neighbouring China and India. 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), Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), 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.

Bases

• Panchkhal Military Base
• Kathmandu Army HQ

Major Base Camps are located in all 75 districts of Nepal with at least 20 major base camps and 9500 Army in each districts.

Schools

• Nepal Army Command and Staff College, Shivapuri

• Nepal Army School, Nagarkot

• Nepalese 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
• Nepal Army EME school,kharipati

Units

• Shree Gorkah Bahadur Battalion - 2009 BS (then was established for special duty of Royal Guards).
• 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 Singhanath Battalion 1786 (Commando)
• 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 Nepal Cavalry 1849 - Household Cavalry ceremonial 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
• Shree Rajdal Battalion (Artillery & Air Defence)
• Shree Yuddha Bhairav Battalion (Special Forces)
• Shree Yuddha Kawaj Battalion (Mechanized Infantry)
• Shree Mahabir Battalion (Rangers Battalion. Equivalent to U.S Army Rangers (Part of Nepal Army Special Operation Force))
• Shree Chandan Nath Battalion - 2061 B.S. (Infantry Army)
• Shree Tara Dal Battalion - 2059 B.S. (Infantry Unit)
• Shree No 1 Disaster Management Battalion - 2069 B.S.
• Shree No 2 Disaster Management Battalion - 2069 B.S.

Equipment

The majority of equipment used by the Nepalese Army are imported from other countries. India is a major supplier of arms and ammunition as well as other logistics equipment. The Nepalese Army also uses equipment imported from the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, Israel and other countries. Small amount of small arms and ammunition are also produced by Sundarijal arsenal of Nepal.

Small Arms

Machine Guns

Vehicles

Artillery

Uniform

The Nepalese Army currently have three types of uniform.

Formal Dress

This dress is used primarily for parading and official duties. In August 2010 the Nepalese Army introduced a new ceremonial uniform replacing that worn by the former Royal Army, in order to make it more relevant to the changing context and time. The new uniform comprises an olive green tunic and trousers of modern style, green coloured shirt and tie, leather belt and peaked cap. Gurkha units still wear their traditional wide brimmed hats and red waist-sashes, while the Mounted Guard and Army Band retain scarlet and green full-dress uniforms.

Combat Dress

This dress is used by the Nepalese Army for regular operational duties.

Nepalese army uses two type of camouflage patterns:

• Swirl
• Nepalese 4-Color Camouflage - similar to the Japan Air Self Defense Force camouflage

Rank Structure

^{[7] [8] [9]}

Chiefs of the Army Staff (1960 AD–present)

Historically the Chief of Nepalese Army have been mostly from noble families such as "Shah", "Basnyat", "Pande", "Thapa" and "Rana". The first army chief during the unification campaign of Nepal by the Great King Prithvinarayan Shah was Kaji Biraj Thapa Magar. He was followed by was Kaji Kalu Pande.

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.

Battles on Defending Kingdom of Nepal

• Battle against Mir Kassim - 1763 CE
• Battle of Pauwa Gadhi against Captain Kinloch- 1767 CE
• Anglo-Nepalese War - 1814 CE
• First Nepal - Tibet War
• Nepal-Tibet/China War
• Last Nepal-Tibet War

Medals and Awards

• Mahendra Mala
• Parama Nepal Pratap Baskara
• 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

See also

• Military of Nepal
• Armed Police Force Nepal

References

External links

• Official website of the Nepal Army
• Official website of the Nepal Army Command and Staff College
• Nepal
• Indian MPV
• Background Note: Nepal
• Nepal
• List of photographs of 49 Nepalese army generals
• http://thediplomat.com/2013/10/the-deft-politicking-of-nepals-army/1/, 2013