COMBAT ARMS

The Nepal Army’s main fighting force comes from Combat Divisions. Their areas of responsibility were determined according to the development regions. All together five divisions are located in the regional headquarters of every development region. This integrated force consists of various specialist units: Infantry, Armour, Artillery, Combat Engineers, Air Defense, Signals and Medical components.

Under the command of each Division, there is an integrated Brigade augmented with combat support and combat service support Units.

A Major General commands the Combat Division and a Brigadier General commands the Combat Brigade. The Brigade comprises of Infantry Battalions and Independent Infantry Companies. Depending upon the area of responsibility, Combat Brigade may have two to three Infantry Battalions and up to six or more Independent Infantry Companies. Each brigade is augmented with a Signals Company, an Engineer Company, a Light Artillery Battery, an Air Defense Battery, a Field Ambulance Company, Transport elements, Ordnance elements and Repair workshop elements.

There is also a Special Operations Brigade that includes a Special Forces Regiment Reconnaissance Battalion, a Parachute Battalion, and a Ranger Battalion. These Special Forces are specialists in the army. They strike mostly under the cover of darkness and employ various means to get to their target undetected. They are thus adept at infiltrating enemy territory using airborne raids, helicopter assaults and usually operate at small team to carry out raids on important targets. Reconnaissance (or recce) operations are something the Special Forces can do much well than the average soldiers. Such operations demand high combat fitness, stamina, drive and mental agility. Special Forces can also sabotage enemy installations and are well trained in various skills like demolition, signals, and medical aid and cross-trained in various skills and arms used so that they can take over each other's functions if necessary.

An Infantry Battalion, commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel comprises of Rifle Companies, a Support Company and a Logistics Company. Majors are Company commanders, Captains are Company Second in Command (2ICs) and Lieutenants are Platoons commanders. Junior Commissioned Officers (JCO) is the Second in Command of the Platoons. A Platoon consists of three Sections and Sergeant (Non Commissioned Officer) is the section commander.