Posted by: Kiddo December 2, 2013
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Having some history with the institution (then Royal Nepal Army), let me share my view on this.
Every now and then this question has always sprung, why do we need Nepal Army? The question is not without any merit; an army's job is first and foremost to defend its country. We very well know that super powers like India and China, whose one air craft carrier can destroy the entire Nepali troop, are not a defendable threats. So why then do we need the army?
Before answering this question, let's look at what the army provides?
1. Employment to 145,000 Nepali. Nepal Army is one of the largest employment provider in Nepal (Nepal police is half the size) and employs roughly about a percent of the working age population of Nepal. Dismantling the army could mean a significant blow to the National employment which is already in a red zone.
2. Sure, Nepal army is a budget drain; but it also brings in revenue from international deployments. A small proportion compared to the budget, but still. Nepal army also has several revenue generating operations, they are just mismanaged.
These are the tangibles; on a non-tangible side, Nepal Army is considered a powerful force domestically. If Police deployment is not enough then our last resort is Army deployment; this is a huge factor for national stability. Also, having an army provides some sense of national security and implied sovereignty (this is arguable of course) to its citizen.
Having said that, the Royal Nepal army was largely mis-managed and corrupt institution. Funds totaling millions and millions were mismanaged and promotion was not by merit but by connection. I cannot say anything about the current regime as I am not there, but I still see some (not all) Army families (specially the wives) abusing their power over the lower ranked soldiers. I don't know the state of corruption right now.
I think a major reform is necessary. First of all, some trimming needs to be done so that the operating cost reflects the current state of our economy. Armed soldiers should be deployed in Nation building projects. We can increase our share of international deployment further and make Nepal army self sustained (or partially sustained) entity. The Army court should have more power (there have been some good hearing in recent years) and a significant bureaucratic change needs to happen to create a healthy environment within the institution. Finally a check within the institution might be necessary eventually to deter any coups from within.
Every now and then this question has always sprung, why do we need Nepal Army? The question is not without any merit; an army's job is first and foremost to defend its country. We very well know that super powers like India and China, whose one air craft carrier can destroy the entire Nepali troop, are not a defendable threats. So why then do we need the army?
Before answering this question, let's look at what the army provides?
1. Employment to 145,000 Nepali. Nepal Army is one of the largest employment provider in Nepal (Nepal police is half the size) and employs roughly about a percent of the working age population of Nepal. Dismantling the army could mean a significant blow to the National employment which is already in a red zone.
2. Sure, Nepal army is a budget drain; but it also brings in revenue from international deployments. A small proportion compared to the budget, but still. Nepal army also has several revenue generating operations, they are just mismanaged.
These are the tangibles; on a non-tangible side, Nepal Army is considered a powerful force domestically. If Police deployment is not enough then our last resort is Army deployment; this is a huge factor for national stability. Also, having an army provides some sense of national security and implied sovereignty (this is arguable of course) to its citizen.
Having said that, the Royal Nepal army was largely mis-managed and corrupt institution. Funds totaling millions and millions were mismanaged and promotion was not by merit but by connection. I cannot say anything about the current regime as I am not there, but I still see some (not all) Army families (specially the wives) abusing their power over the lower ranked soldiers. I don't know the state of corruption right now.
I think a major reform is necessary. First of all, some trimming needs to be done so that the operating cost reflects the current state of our economy. Armed soldiers should be deployed in Nation building projects. We can increase our share of international deployment further and make Nepal army self sustained (or partially sustained) entity. The Army court should have more power (there have been some good hearing in recent years) and a significant bureaucratic change needs to happen to create a healthy environment within the institution. Finally a check within the institution might be necessary eventually to deter any coups from within.