The legendary Gurkha soldiers, famed for their battlefield prowess, are set to form a new British Army regiment specializing in artillery—marking a historic shift in their traditional infantry role.
The formidable Gurkha soldiers will be deployed to form a new British Army regiment, potentially destined for Ukraine following a peace agreement with Russia.
According to a recent Express report, the regiment, approved by Defence Secretary John Healy, will initially comprise 500 elite Nepalese troops specializing in high-level surveillance as part of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.
This development comes as General Sir Roly Walker, head of the British Army, evaluates the preparedness of UK forces for a possible deployment to Ukraine later this year. The mission would be part of a broader multinational effort to secure and stabilize the region.
Strategic Expansion Amidst Global Tensions
The formation of the Gurkha artillery unit aligns with Britain’s urgent need to replenish its Royal Artillery, which faces a shortfall of 700 soldiers.
Renowned for their battlefield prowess, the Gurkhas have traditionally been associated with infantry roles. Now, in a bold shift, the British Army is forming a new Gurkha Artillery regiment.
According to the report, 500 Gurkhas will be recruited for the regiment initially, with more expected to follow as part of a broader expansion of the 4,127-strong Gurkha Brigade.
With artillery guns and ammunition in short supply—many donated to Ukraine—the new Gurkha soldiers will take on key intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) roles, focusing on surface-to-air missile systems like Javelin.
In the absence of its once-formidable AS90 howitzers, the Royal Artillery is awaiting Germany-UK-designed RCH 155 wheeled artillery systems, set for delivery later this year. However, the first batch is already earmarked for Ukraine, leaving the British Army to adapt in the interim.
General Sir Roly Walker, head of the British Army, is currently assessing the UK’s readiness for a potential multinational peacekeeping operation in Ukraine later this year. Meanwhile, European military leaders are set to convene in Paris on Tuesday to strategize a ‘force generation’ initiative, aimed at assembling combat-ready units for deployment. This effort is gaining traction, with 20 nations already backing the plan, reflecting growing international commitment to stabilizing post-war Ukraine.
British Army Faces Recruitment Crisis
Beyond the Ukraine dilemma, the British Army faces a deeper existential challenge—a recruitment crisis of historic proportions.
With active personnel numbers plummeting to just 75,983 as of January 2024—the lowest since the Napoleonic Wars—the UK’s military struggles to sustain operational effectiveness.
The British Army is grappling with a severe recruitment shortfall, enlisting only 6,720 soldiers last year—just 63% of its 10,450 target. With a net loss of 300 soldiers per month, critical gaps are emerging across key regiments, threatening the Army’s operational readiness.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported just 75,983 active-duty personnel in January 2024—the lowest in over 200 years. Despite a 6% pay raise in 2024, the largest in two decades, soldiers continue to leave in droves.
According to The Telegraph, 15,000 soldiers left the military in the year before October 2024, more than half voluntarily.
This crisis not only raises concerns about the Army’s ability to meet future defense commitments but also casts doubt on its readiness for large-scale conflicts in an increasingly volatile world.
Gurkhas: A Legacy of Valor
For over two centuries, the Gurkhas have embodied valor, loyalty, and resilience within the British Army. Their storied legacy began in 1814 during the Anglo-Nepal War, when British officers, struck by their tenacity, recruited them into the East India Company’s forces.
Today, the British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas includes over 4,000 troops, serving in specialized roles such as engineering, signals, logistics, and combat support.
India maintains the largest contingent, with 43 Gorkha regiments totaling approx 32,000 soldiers. Nepal ranks third in numbers, but first in pride, as Gurkhas are celebrated worldwide for their fierce combat skills.
Their battle-hardened reputation extends across conflicts from World War I and II to the Falklands, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Gurkhas have earned 26 Victoria Crosses, Britain’s highest military honor, and are instantly recognizable by their iconic weapon—the Khukuri, a curved Nepalese knife symbolizing tradition and lethality.
An Elite Fighting Force
The British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas consists of two Royal Gurkha Rifles battalions and specialized signals, engineering, logistics, training, and support units.
The British Army conducts a two-stage recruitment process in Nepal, first at Pokhara and then at Kathmandu. It is considered one of the toughest military selection processes in the world. Thousands apply, but only a few hundred make the cut.
A defining challenge is the Doko Race—a 5 km uphill run carrying a 25 kg basket of sand that must be completed in under 45 minutes, testing their legendary endurance.
In a groundbreaking event, a British Royal Prince personally administered the Sanatan Vedic oath to 274 newly enlisted Gurkhas in Pokhara in February 2025—an unprecedented acknowledgment of their enduring importance to the British military.
The Gurkha Legacy
As Britain navigates an era of military restructuring and geopolitical uncertainty, the creation of the Gurkha Artillery Regiment signals both innovation and necessity. Whether reinforcing Britain’s defense capabilities or playing a role in Ukraine’s post-war stabilization, this elite force will undoubtedly uphold the indomitable spirit that has defined the Gurkhas for over two centuries.
The Gurkha Regiment’s legendary motto—“Better to die than be a coward”—remains as relevant today as it was on the battlefields of history, ensuring their place among the world’s most revered warriors.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for ET Prime. She has over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com
