Gurkhas are set to take on artillery roles with the formation of a new unit named the King’s Gurkha Artillery (KGA), which is aimed to bolster the UK’s military strength.
This new regiment, which will be incorporated into the Royal Regiment of Artillery, will take in 400 Gurkha soldiers.
The move reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to bolster national security through its Plan for Change.
The creation of the new unit is seen as a move to ease staffing woes within the British Army.
In February 2025, Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard disclosed plans to initiate a unified Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS) in 2027. This service will supplant the separate recruitment programs currently operated by the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force.
The AFRS comes on the heels of the Defence Secretary’s previous year’s vow to address protracted application wait times experienced by prospective members of the Armed Forces.
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By GlobalDataThe UK Ministry of Defence acknowledged that current recruitment procedures have not adequately adapted to contemporary requirements, with less than 10% of applicants successfully enlisting in 2023 due to inefficiencies and delays.
The KGA is poised to become a key component of Britain’s artillery capabilities. Recognising the evolving nature of warfare, Gurkha recruits joining this unit will receive training on advanced weaponry, including Archer and Light Gun artillery systems.
Plans are also in place for future training on Remote-Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155 artillery system, a Boxer-based platform featuring an uncrewed 155mm artillery module.
The first batch of recruits is expected to complete their initial training by November 2025, after which they will proceed to Larkhill Garrison in Wiltshire, the Royal Artillery’s base, for further trade training.
This development aligns with the Prime Minister’s significant pledge to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, underscoring a commitment to maintaining military preparedness amidst growing global instability.
Veterans and People minister Alistair Carns said: “The Brigade of Gurkhas has rightly earned a reputation as being amongst the finest soldiers in the world, and the formation of The King’s Gurkha Artillery recognises the outstanding contribution that they have made, through their years of dedicated service.
“Our government is already delivering for defence through our Plan for Change, and this latest development will support retention efforts amongst Gurkhas while protecting and defending UK interests at home and abroad.”
The Brigade of Gurkhas currently comprises approximately 4,000 members serving in various capacities within the British Army.
These soldiers are recruited from Nepal, with thousands vying for a limited number of positions each year.
In conjunction with this expansion, a distinctive cap badge for the KGA has been unveiled, marking the first introduction of such an insignia in over a decade. This badge symbolizes the widening range of skills within the Brigade of Gurkhas and their continued dedication to serving in the UK military.
