Nepalese Army Air Service

The Nepal Air Force (NAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Nepalese Armed Forces. Established on December 9, 1950, it is one of the oldest air forces in South Asia. Initially, the NAF operated with just one aircraft, a World War II-era British-made "Fairy Battle" biplane. Over the years, the air force expanded its fleet and capabilities. In the early years, the NAF primarily focused on transport and reconnaissance missions, but it later incorporated fighter jets and helicopters. Currently, the NAF operates various aircraft, including helicopters like the HAL Dhruv and Mi-17, and fighter jets like the Chinese-made Shenyang J-6 and American-made Bell OH-58D Kiowa. The air force is responsible for conducting various operations, including search and rescue missions, humanitarian assistance, aerial firefighting, and providing air support to ground forces during conflicts. The NAF also actively participates in joint military exercises with other countries and has a long-standing tradition of bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries like India and China.