Singapore hands over 6 drones to Nepal police as part of disaster recovery efforts, Singapore News

It can also be used to conduct aerial assessment of areas that may be difficult or unsafe to access.

Such drones are already in use by the Nepali army in its search and rescue operations.

Commander of the Singapore contingent, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Patrick Tan, said at the handover event that the two police forces have a “very close relationship”, noting that Nepali citizens serve in the SPF’s Gurkha contingent. 

“We hope that our small contribution in this aspect will be able to help our Nepali friends during these difficult times,” he added.

Nepal’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki also spoke of the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two police forces, adding that the drones are not merely a piece of technology.

“They are vital tools that will immediately enhance our operational reach, allowing us to inspect inaccessible areas,” the police chief said.

Beyond supporting ongoing post-disaster recovery efforts, IGP Karki highlighted that the drones directly advance Nepal Police’s vision to establish its own specialised UAV unit.

“The integration of drone capabilities into our day-to-day policing will fundamentally expand our operational capacity. 

“This will transform how we handle disaster management in future, tactical reconnaissance, crime investigations, and public safety missions,” he said.

9 missing Singaporeans

Turning briefly to the nine Singaporeans who remain missing after the deadly Aug 26 floods, IGP Karki said his heart goes out to their families.

He said that Nepal Police remains fully committed to locating those still reported as missing so that their families can get answers.

Meanwhile, AC Tan told AsiaOne that the Singapore contingent is focused on supporting the Nepali authorities with their ongoing relief efforts. 

This, he said, includes the identification of victims, including Singaporean victims.

“We will continue to work closely with our Nepali counterparts and provide whatever assistance we can during our deployment,” AC Tan added.

Singapore’s High Commissioner to India Simon Wong, who is concurrently accredited to Nepal, noted in a social media post on Thursday evening that officers from the two police forces have been exchanging best practices over the past nearly two weeks.

“We are confident that the drones will help in Nepal’s disaster recovery efforts,” he said.

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editor@asiaone.com