Nepali Army

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File:Sugauli treaty.jpg
Nepalese troops (right) in 1816
File:Nepal army-Basantapur darbar square3.JPG
Nepal Army's Guruju Paltan (a ceremonial infantry company) in traditional uniform

The Nepali Army (Template:Langx), also referred to as the Gorkhali Army (Template:Langx; see Gorkhas), formally known as "Royal Nepal Army" is the land service branch of the Nepali Armed Forces. After the Gorkha Kingdom was founded in 1559, its army was established in 1560, and initially became known as the Gorkhali Army. Later it was known as the Royal Nepali Army (RNA) following the Unification of Nepal, when the Gorkha Kingdom expanded its territory to include the whole country, by conquering and annexing the other states in the region, resulting in the establishment of a single united Hindu monarchy over all of Nepal. It was officially renamed simply to the Nepali Army on 28 May 2008, upon the abolition of the 240-year-old Nepalese monarchy, and of the 449-year-old rule of the Shah dynasty, shortly after the Nepalese Civil War.

The Nepali Army has participated in various conflicts throughout its history, going as far back as the Nepali unification campaign launched by Prithvi Narayan Shah of the Gorkha Kingdom. It has engaged in an extensive number of battles within South Asia, and continues to take part in global conflicts as part of United Nations peacekeeping coalitions.

The Nepali Army is headquartered in Kathmandu and the incumbent Chief of Army Staff is General Ashok Raj Sigdel.

History

File:Nepali soldiers Le Bon 1885.jpg
Nepali national soldiers by Gustave Le Bon, 1885

The Nepal unification campaign was a turning point in the history of the Nepali 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, the army organized itself in Gorkha. After the Gorkhali troops captured Nuwakot, the hilly northern part of Kathmandu (Kantipur) in 1744, the Gorkhali armed forces came to be known as the Royal Nepali Army.

Their performance impressed their enemies so much that the British East India Company started recruiting Nepali troops into their forces. The native British soldiers called the new soldiers "Gurkhas". The Gurkha-Sikh War began shortly after, in 1809 and the Anglo-Nepalese War in 1814. It became even more involved in the British Indian Army until independence, remaining an independent entity (since it was a protected state of the British Raj until 1947, though nominal autonomy had been achieved in 1923). In 1946, the Royal Nepali Army troops were led by Commanding General Baber Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana at the Victory Parade in London.

Prior to 2006, the Royal Nepali Army was under the control of the King of Nepal. Following the 2006 Democracy Movement (Template:Langx) on 18 May, a bill was passed by the Nepali parliament curtailing royal power, which included renaming the army to simply the Nepali Army.[1]

In 2004, Nepal spent $99.2 million on its military (1.5% of its GDP). Between 2002 and 2006, the RNA was involved in the Nepali Civil War. They were also used to quell pro-democracy protesters during the 2006 democracy movement.

Organization

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File:Nepal Army Special Forces.jpg
Nepal Army soldiers on Army Day

The Nepali Army has about 95,000 infantry army and air service members protecting the sovereignty of Nepal. In August 2018, The Himalayan Times estimated total army forces to be around 96,000[2] while The Kathmandu Post estimated it to be 92,000.[3]

Supreme Command

The position of the Supreme Commander of the Nepalese Army is the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Until 2006, the King of Nepal (monarchy abolished) 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 on 4th Jestha 2063 B.S.

National Defence Council

This Council has seven members, the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, the Chief of the Army Staff, Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Home Minister and the Chief Secretary.

The President of Nepal is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

Divisions

The Nepalese Army is divided into eight divisions, one each in the seven provinces and one in the Kathmandu Valley.

In addition there are at least 7 independent units:

  • Army Aviation Directorate
  • Special Forces Brigade
  • VVIP Security
  • Artillery Brigade
  • Signals Brigade
  • Engineers Brigade
  • Air Defense Brigade

Chiefs of the Nepali Army

Script error: No such module "For". The chiefs of the Nepali Army were mostly drawn from noble Chhetri families from the Gorkha Kingdom such as the Pande dynasty, Kunwar family, Basnyat dynasty, and Thapa dynasty before the rule of the Rana dynasty.Template:Sfn During the Shah monarchy, the officers were drawn from these aristocratic families.Template:Sfn During the Rana dynasty, the Ranas claimed the position as their birthright.Template:Sfn The first army chief of was King Prithvi Narayan Shah who drafted and commanded the army.Template:Sfn The first civilian army chief was Kalu Pande, a Kaji who had a significant role in the unification campaign.Template:Sfn He was considered head of the army due to his undertaking of army duties and responsibilities, not by a formal title.Template:Sfn

Bhimsen Thapa, Mukhtiyar from 1806 to 1837, was the first person to be given the title Commander-in-Chief as head of the army.Template:Sfn King Rajendra Bikram Shah appointed Bhimsen to the post and praised him for his long service to the nation.Template:Sfn However, on 14 June 1837, the King took over command of all battalions previously under the charge of various courtiers, and became the commander-in-chief.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Immediately after the incarceration of the Thapas in 1837, Dalbhanjan Pande and Rana Jang Pande were the joint heads of the military administration.Template:Sfn Rana Jang was removed after three months in October 1837.Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Since the command of Mukhtiyar Bhimsen, only seven army chiefs were non-Rana- Chhetris, including Shahs (Thakuris), until 1951.Template:Sfn The commander-in-chief title was replaced by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) from General Singha Pratap Shah in 1979.

Operations

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Conflicts defending the Kingdom of Nepal

Battles during the unification of Nepal

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International conflicts

International operations

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

US-Nepal military relations

File:NA Rangers.jpg
Mahabir Ranger with a US soldier

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The US-Nepali military relationship focuses on support for democratic institutions, civilian control of the military, and the professional military ethic. 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.

US-Nepali military engagement continues today through the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, Enhanced International Peacekeeping Capabilities (EIPC) program, Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), and various conferences and seminars. The US military sends many Nepali Army officers to America to attend military schools, such as the Command and General Staff College and the US Army War College. The IMET budget for FY2001 was $220,000.

The EIPC program is an inter-agency program between the US Department of Defense and US Department of State to increase the pool of international peacekeepers and to promote interoperability. Nepal received about $1.9 million in EIPC funding.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

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

Units

The first four army units are the Shreenath, Kali Baksh (Kalibox), Barda Bahadur, and Sabuj companies, founded in August 1762 by King Prithvi Narayan Shah with the Gurung, Magar, Chhetri and Thakuri clans, well before the unification of Nepal. The Purano Gorakh Company was founded in February 1763 and is the army's fifth oldest unit.[6]

File:Shree Purano Gorakh flag.png
Flag of Purano Gorakh

Schools

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

Female participation in Nepal Army

The unofficial participation of women in Nepal Army was first during the Anglo-Nepalese War on Battle of Nalapani. Battle of Nalapani was the first battle of the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814–1816, fought between the forces of the British East India Company and Nepal, then ruled by the Gorkha Kingdom. Nepalese women were heavily involved in this battle supporting the male Gurkha warriors. With no firearms in hand, Nepalese women fought British troops with stones and wood.

According to the Nepal Army YouTube channel programme Nepali Senama Mahila Sahabhagita (documentary) - Episode 405, the official participation of women in the Nepal Army started in 1961 in the post of Nurse. Now the regular forces also include a significant number of female soldiers holding key appointments and commands.[7] The timeline of official women's participation in the Nepal Army is as follow:

  • 1961 - Nurses
  • 1965 - Parachute folding women team
  • 1969 - Medical doctors
  • 1998 - Lawyers
  • 2004 - Engineering
  • 2011 - Aviation

Notable female officers of Nepal Army

  • Brigadier General Dr. Radha Shah - First woman to become Brigadier General of Nepal Army
  • Brigadier General Dr. Narvada Thapa - First female staff of Nepal Army to get doctorate degree (P.Hd)
  • Colonel Dr. Sarita K.C - First Nepalese army female personnel to join UN Peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL)
  • Major Kriti Rajbhandari - First woman observer military liaison officer from Nepal Army
  • Colonel Yvetta Rana - First woman officer of Judge Advocate General Department of Nepal Army
  • Colonel Sovana Rayamajhi - First woman officer (Computer Engineer) to join the Information Technology Department of Nepal Army
  • Major Niru Dhungana - One of the first female military pilots
  • Major Anita Ale Magar - One of the first female military pilots
  • Major Shristhi Khadka - First woman company commander of Nepal Army

Equipment

The majority of equipment used by the army is imported from other countries. India is the army's largest supplier of arms and ammunition as well as other logistical equipment, which are often furnished under generous military grants.[8] Germany, the United States, Belgium, Israel, and South Korea have also either supplied or offered arms to the Nepali Army.[9]

The army's first standard rifle was the Belgian FN FAL, which it adopted in 1960.[9] Nepali FALs were later complemented by unlicensed, Indian-manufactured variants of the same weapon, as well its British counterpart, the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle.[9] Beginning in 2002 these were officially supplemented in army service by the American M-16 rifle, which took the FAL's place as the army's standard service rifle.[9] Nevertheless, the FAL and its respective variants remain the single most prolific weapon in Nepali army service, with thousands of second-hand examples being supplied by India as late as 2005.[8]

Small arms

Weapon Image Origin Type Calibre Notes
Pistols
Browning Hi-Power File:FN Hi Power.jpg File:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum FN P-35 variant.[10]
Submachine guns
Heckler & Koch MP5[8] File:HK MP5 noBG.png File:Flag of Germany.svg West Germany Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum
Sten[10] File:Sten Mk II IMG 4781 (Nemo5576) noBG.png File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Sterling[10] File:Sterling SMG2.JPG
Uzi[11] File:Uzi-nobg.png File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel
Rifles and Carbines
INSAS[9] File:INSAS Rifle.jpg File:Flag of India.svg India Assault rifle 5.56×45mm The Nepali Army had about 25,000 INSAS rifles in 2006.[12]
Heckler & Koch G36 File:Gewehr G36 noBG.png File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany
M16 File:M16A1 brimob.jpg File:Flag of the United States.svg United States Standard service rifle of the Nepali Army.[9]
CAR-15[8] File:USAF GAU 5A noBG.png Carbine
M4 carbine File:M4 PEO Soldier.jpg
Daewoo K2[8] File:K2C1 Assault rifle.jpg File:Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea Assault rifle
IMI Galil[8] File:Galil noBG.png File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel
IWI Tavor File:IWI-Tavor-TAR-21w1.jpg Used by Army Special Forces, Ranger Battalion.
IWI Tavor X95 File:MicroTavorX95MARS-white.jpg Used by Army Special Forces, Ranger Battalion. Often seen with GL40 UBGL, shown to be OTB compatible.
IWI Galil ACE File:IWI 3686.jpg 7.62×39mm Limited use by Military Police.[13]
AKM File:AKM automatkarbin - 7,62x39mm.jpg File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Confiscated from Maoist guerrillas during insurgency.[8]
Type 56 File:Type 56 mod02 noBG.png File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 300 purchased from China in 2010.[8]
L1A1 SLR File:SLRL1A1.jpg File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom Battle rifle 7.62×51mm Unlicensed Indian variant designated 1A1.[9]
FN FAL[9] File:FN FAL compilation.jpg File:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium
Heckler & Koch PSG1[8] File:MSG 90 rifle PSG 1 rifle 2014 noBG.jpg File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany Sniper rifle
Ishapore 2A1 File:Ishapore 2A1.jpg File:Flag of India.svg India Bolt-action rifle Indian licensed copy of the No. III Enfield, modified for use with 7.62 NATO. New production action and barrel, recycled buttstock from No. III Enfields.[8]
Machine guns
FN Minimi File:FN MINIMI Standard Right.jpg File:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium Light machine gun 5.56×45mm 5,500 purchased from Belgium in 2002.[9] Principal LMG/SAW
M249 File:PEO M249 Para ACOG.jpg File:Flag of the United States.svg United States 300 supplied as military aid from the US.[8] Functionally identical to FN Minimi
Bren L4A4[10] File:Bren wog.jpg File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 7.62×51mm Used in outposts and basic automatic fire training
FN MAG[10] File:FN MAG white background.jpg File:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium General-purpose machine gun Principal GPMG, used on vehicle mounts.

Heavy weapons

Weapon Image Origin Type Calibre Notes
Air defence
Bofors L/70[14] File:Bofors automatic gun L70.png File:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Anti-aircraft gun 40mm
QF 3.7-inch AA gun[14] File:Swartkops Air Defence2.JPG File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 94mm 45 in service.
Artillery
OTO Melara Mod 56 File:L5 Pack Howitzer Clyde, Otago, New Zealand.jpg File:Flag of Italy.svg Italy Pack howitzer 105mm 14 in service.[15]
Mortar
120-PM-43 File:120 mm regimental mortar M1943.jpg File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Mortar 120mm 70 in service[16]
M 29 File:Mortar M29.jpg File:Flag of the United States.svg United States Mortar 81mm [16]

Vehicles

Vehicle Image Origin Type Quantity Notes
Armoured cars
Daimler Ferret File:Daimler Ferret armoured car picture-015.JPG File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom Scout car 40[16] Ferret Mk4 variant.[16]
Armoured personnel carriers
Casspir File:Mechem Casspir Mk II (9686200019).jpg File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa MRAP 37[17]
Aditya File:Upgraded Aditya MRAP.jpg File:Flag of India.svg India ~124[16]
VN-4 File:NORINCO VN-4 4x4 VEN.jpg File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 63
OT-64 File:OT-64 SKOT.jpg File:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia Armoured personnel carrier 8
WZ551 File:PLA Hong Kong Garrison ZSL92B.JPG File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Infantry fighting vehicle 5 Acquired from China in 2005.

Rank structure

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Commissioned officers

Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/BlankTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Nepal

Other ranks

Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Nepal
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted

See also

Notes

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References

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  6. ↑ Nepal Army DayThe Kathmandu Post 9 March 2013 Template:Webarchive
  7. ↑ Nepali Senama Mahila Sahabhagita - Episode 405
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Further reading

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External links

Template:Government Agencies of Nepal

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