The Royal Nepal Army has a new force to take on-the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), every time it wants to buy a plane. The PAC recently gave the armed forces the green signal to purchase two MI-17s, and is now perusing a proposal to buy a French Super Puma the army requires for head of state and VVIP flights.

But the committee isn't pleased. It recently pointed out that although the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was empowered by cabinet to decide on whether it needed the Super Puma or not, before placing the order the MoD had to get the approval of the Ministry of Finance, according to the 1999 Financial Administration Regulations. The PAC was called in because the defence ministry had not followed procedure.

The brand new Super Puma AS 332 L1 the army plans to buy from the French Euro-copter Company Sofema costs Rs 870 million. The army's old Super Puma, also used to transport the head of state and VVIPs, is more than 15 years old and considered technically unsafe to fly. Army officials say overhauling and upgrading the engine would cost a lot more-while still leaving the safety of the chopper in doubt.