The United States has delivered two new M28 Skytrucks to the Nepali Army, increasing Nepal’s fleet of these aircraft to five. The handover took place at Tribhuvan International Airport on September 4 and was funded through a $37 million Foreign Military Financing grant from the U.S. government.
U.S. Ambassador Dean Thompson presented the aircraft to senior leaders of the Nepali Army in a ceremony attended by Foreign Minister Aarzu Rana Deuba, Defense Minister Manbir Rai, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, Principal Deputy Director for Security Assistance Merrie A. Archer from the U.S. State Department, and representatives from PZL Mielec, which manufactures the planes.
Foreign Affairs Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said at the event: “This moment is significant not only for enhancing Nepali Army Disaster Response Capabilities but also as a symbol of the enduring friendship and cooperation between Nepal and the United States. The United States has remained a steadfast development partner and a reliable friend of Nepal, supporting us in governance, humanitarian assistance disaster response, peace keeping and capacity building.”
Ambassador Thompson added: “These aircraft are more than machines. They are lifelines. They will help Nepal respond faster and better to emergencies in every corner of the country. The delivery symbolizes just a small part of our broader security cooperation, which also includes training, exchanges, equipment transfers, and planning. It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to helping Nepal become more resilient, capable, and secure.”
The M28 Skytrucks are produced by Lockheed Martin’s Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec and are designed for short takeoff and landing operations suitable for remote areas with rugged terrain. One of the newly delivered planes is configured as an air ambulance equipped for medical evacuations.
With these additions to its fleet—two provided previously by the U.S., one purchased directly by Nepal—the Nepali Army will have improved capacity for disaster response missions across difficult-to-reach regions in Nepal. This support builds on nearly eight decades of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the United States.