US Aid Proposal: Six Helicopters Worth Rs 15 Billion for Nepali Army; Nepal Cautious Over Operational Costs
Kathmandu — The United States has proposed providing approximately $100 million (nearly 15 billion 4 crore Nepali rupees) worth of assistance to the Nepali Army. The proposal has been forwarded by the US Embassy in Kathmandu to the Ministry of Defence via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The assistance, under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant, proposes six helicopters that could be used for disaster rescue and other operations. “The US has proposed providing six helicopters as grant assistance to the Nepali Army under FMF. These helicopters are intended especially for use during disasters for rescue operations,” a Defence Ministry source said.
The financial assistance package was initially announced during the visit of former US Under Secretary of State Richard Verma to Nepal in 2024. The US has previously provided helicopters and Sky Trucks (aircraft) as grant assistance to the Nepali Army. Just last year, two new M28 Sky Trucks were added to the army’s fleet, bringing the total number to five.
While the proposed helicopter assistance package is attractive for Nepal, discussions are ongoing within the army regarding whether to accept the offer or seek alternative military aid. Complexities related to aviation fuel, spare parts maintenance costs, and personnel training needed to operate the helicopters have become key topics of debate, with the US Embassy pressuring for a quick decision.
The Nepali government and army are carefully evaluating the proposal, and the possibility of seeking alternatives such as “heavy-lift helicopters” (aerial cranes) based on requirements remains equally strong. In other words, in response to the US proposal of “six helicopters,” Nepal may request helicopters capable of heavy rescue and construction material transport, or cargo aircraft. The proposal may also require parliamentary approval before final ratification. While the military aid appears beneficial, the Nepali army is currently cautious due to the additional financial burden involved.
