New regiment will see Gurkha soldiers take on artillery roles for the first time, strengthening UK's military capability.
KATHMANDU, APRIL 29
Gurkha soldiers are set to take on artillery roles for the first time with the creation of The King's Gurkha Artillery (KGA), a new unit in the Brigade of Gurkhas, as officially announced in the UK Parliament on Monday.
The unit will be formed over the next four years and will eventually comprise 400 personnel, with the first transfers of existing Gurkhas taking place this spring. It marks the seventh cap badge in the Brigade of Gurkhas and the first new one in 14 years. The KGA will operate under the Royal Regiment of Artillery and is expected to significantly enhance the British Army's close support artillery capability.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the creation of KGA is part of the government's broader "Plan for Change," aimed at boosting UK defence capabilities and retention efforts. The new unit will initially be based in Larkhill, Wiltshire-home of the Royal Artillery-where recruits will undergo trade training after completing initial training in November 2025.
The KGA soldiers will be trained to operate advanced artillery systems such as the Archer, Light Gun, and in the future, the remote-controlled Howitzer 155. This evolution in Gurkha roles represents a fusion of two proud military traditions and offers enhanced career and development opportunities for Gurkha personnel.
"It is a fitting blend of two historic, proud organisations that will offer the British Army ever-greater fighting power and combat effectiveness," read a statement by the Gurkha Brigade Association.
Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns, lauded the announcement, saying, "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."
Currently, around 4,000 Gurkhas serve in various roles across the British Army. Recruited exclusively from Nepal, the Gurkhas remain an elite and competitive force, with thousands of hopefuls vying for limited positions each year.
The new King's Gurkha Artillery cap badge will be revealed in the coming months.
