NA seeks Rs 18 bn budget

KATHMANDU: The Nepali Army has demanded approximately Rs 18 billion in the upcoming budget. The NA would use the budget for its regular expenses as well as to purchase helicopters.

“We need to be prepared for the worst case scenario,” a senior army official said. Choppers have proved extremely useful during times of unrest as well as in rescue operations.

“We have used helicopters to carry medicines, food and water for the people hit by natural calamities,” he said.

The NA owns 21 helicopters, but only eight of them are functional. Many of them were damaged during the conflict. “A huge sum is required to replace the damaged spare parts,” he said, adding that the NA would be able to ensure security if it possessed more helicopters.

Many important works such as construction of barracks and purchase of vehicles and ammunition had been blocked due to insufficient budget, he added.