Nepal requests heavy-lift aircraft instead of US helicopters under $100M grant

Nepal is seeking aerial cranes or heavy-lift helicopters from the United States instead of six Bell 412 helicopters offered under a $100 million Foreign Military Financing program, according to government officials familiar with the matter.

The Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and the Nepali Army have decided to send a counter-proposal to the US requesting military assistance that aligns with Nepal’s operational requirements and priorities, the officials told The Kathmandu Post on April 26, 2026.

Construction transport priority

“Helicopters are not our priority at present,” a foreign ministry official said on condition of anonymity. “We need aircraft, often referred to as aerial cranes or heavy-lift helicopters, in order to use external slings and hooks to move materials such as steel beams, concrete, wood, and HVAC units, enabling us to transport construction materials in remote areas of the country.”

US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma announced a $100 million enhancement of rotary-wing capabilities during his Nepal visit in August 2024. Following Congressional approval, the US Embassy in Kathmandu offered to provide six helicopters with rotary-wing capabilities in January 2026.

Nepal’s geography makes it particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, with the country regularly experiencing earthquakes, landslides, and floods that require rapid aerial response capabilities.

The mountainous terrain creates significant challenges for ground-based transportation, making aviation assets crucial for reaching remote communities during emergencies. Nepal has previously experienced aviation safety challenges, leading authorities to strengthen flight safety guidelines after multiple incidents.

Growing US military assistance

The United States also delivered two new PZL M28 Block 05 Skytrucks to the Nepali Army in August 2025 under a $37 million Foreign Military Financing grant, expanding the fleet to five M28 Skytrucks total.

The latest two M28 Block 05 aircraft were produced by Lockheed Martin’s Polish subsidiary, PZL Mielec, in 2025. One aircraft (tail number NA-069) is configured as a standard transport with passenger capacity for three crew members and 18 passengers, while the second serves as an air ambulance.

The M28 Skytrucks feature short takeoff and landing capability, making them especially suited for Nepal’s challenging mountainous terrain and remote airstrips. For medical evacuation, the aircraft can carry six stretchers and four seated casualties, with a payload capacity of 2,000 kilograms plus an additional 300 kilograms in the under-fuselage baggage pod.

With these two new editions of Skytrucks, the Nepali Army now has 7 aircraft (small and medium) and 15 helicopters. However, only eight helicopters are reported to be operational.

The current fleet includes Mi-17 medium-lift helicopters, Airbus Helicopters Écureuil AS350, HAL Cheetah and HAL Chetak light helicopters, plus one HAL Dhruv donated by India in 2014. The Nepali Army Air Service operates from bases at Kathmandu, Surkhet, and Dipayal, with its primary mission being transport, disaster response, and supporting paratroop operations rather than combat roles.

Before the US offer, the Nepali Army had planned to procure two Mi-17V-5 helicopters from Russia under a government-to-government agreement. However, the US quickly offered two Bell 412 helicopters instead.

The US military assistance to Nepal comes amid broader US efforts to strengthen partnerships in South Asia and counter Chinese influence in the region. Nepal’s geographic position between China and India makes it strategically significant for both regional powers and the United States.The post Nepal requests heavy-lift aircraft instead of US helicopters under $100M grant appeared first on AeroTime.

Go to Source