Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Purna Bahadur Khadka has made it clear that the government has no intention of reducing the number of Nepal army.

Responding to the various questions raised by the parliamentarians during discussion of the Appropriation Bill, 2080 in today's meeting of the National Assembly, he said the number of Nepal Army personnel has been determined based on the needs of the country, the current situation, the environment within and beyond the country. In future too, the number will be determined based on the same principle, he added.

Defense Minister Khadka said that the number of Nepal Army has been utilized to the maximum extent for the development and progress of the country.

He also clarified that the strength of Nepal Army will be determined according to the decision of the Government of Nepal and on the recommendation of the National Security Council.

According to the defense minister, although total number of positions in Nepal Army is 96,477, the current number is 81,277. Among them, 74,555 are men and 6,772 women.