The twin-engine Icelander planes can also carry cargo but are not equipped to fire weapons onto the ground.

Britain has agreed to supply the two planes but has not finalised when it will deliver them, embassy official Mitra Pariyar told AFP.

It is the first time Britain will give planes to Nepal although it has already provided military training and other equipment.

Britain, the United States and India have all stepped up defence cooperation with Nepal as it battles a Maoist rebellion that has claimed more than 9,000 lives since 1996.

The rebels, who want to overthrow the monarchy, ended a ceasefire in August.

WAR.WIRE