The New Unit-King's Gurkha Artillery (KGA)

Formation & Purpose

• On 28 April 2025, the UK’s Ministry of Defence announced the creation of the King’s Gurkha Artillery (KGA). GOV.UK+2Joint Forces News+2

• The KGA will be a new unit within the Brigade of Gurkhas, and will operate under the umbrella of the Royal Regiment of Artillery (i.e., the British Army’s artillery corps) rather than strictly an infantry‐Gurkha unit. GOV.UK

• Over the next four years, the unit is to build up to around 400 Gurkha personnel. Forces News+1

• This marks the first time Gurkha soldiers will serve in an artillery‐specialist regiment (i.e., trained on artillery roles rather than just infantry/support). Gurkha Brigade Association+1

Role, Training & Equipment

• Personnel in the KGA will be trained on advanced artillery systems. The announcement mentions the Light Gun and the Archer 155 mm Self‑Propelled Howitzer as initial training platforms, and “in the future” the remote-controlled 155 mm Howitzer system. GOV.UK+1

• The training will take place at Larkhill Garrison in Wiltshire (home of the Royal Artillery). For example the first batch arrived at Larkhill in June 2025. Gurkha Brigade Association+1

• Initially the unit is forming with a small number of personnel—e.g., 80 personnel (6 officers, 74 other ranks) for the first batch. Gurkha Brigade Association

Significance & Strategic Context

• The formation of the KGA addresses both recruitment/retention and capability enhancement: by offering Gurkha soldiers new specialist roles (artillery) it gives career progression within the Brigade. Army Technology+1

• It also helps bolster the British Army’s artillery manpower/structure — the press release notes national defence imperatives and “Plan for Change”. wired-gov.net+1

• A new Gurkha cap badge has been created for KGA (first new Gurkha cap badge for 14 years) to reflect the expanded specialism. Joint Forces News+1

Timeline & Current Status

• Announcement: 28 April 2025. Gurkha Brigade Association+1

• First transfers/arrivals at Larkhill mark the start of formation: e.g., June 2, 2025 first batch presented new cap badges. Gurkha Brigade Association

• By November 2025 the first recruits completing initial training before trade training. Joint Forces News+1

• Full build-up over the next 3-4 years to reach full strength of 400. Forces News

Why this is important (for Nepal/Gurkhas)

• For Nepalese Gurkha soldiers, this expansion means more choice of roles beyond the traditional infantry/support functions.

• It strengthens the link between Nepal and the British Army by incorporating Gurkhas into yet more specialised fields.

• For Nepal (and for Nepali recruitment), it signals recognition of the Gurkha role and potentially more opportunities.

• From the UK side, it of course taps into the unique skills and traditions of the Gurkhas, and addresses capability needs.

Some things to watch / questions

• How the training and assimilation of Gurkha soldiers into artillery roles proceeds: artillery requires different skills, technical knowledge, perhaps longer training.

• The integration with existing artillery units: how KGA will operate in terms of operational deployments, whether it will be paired with other RA batteries or stand‐alone.

• Recruitment/retention: whether this role will help retain more Gurkha soldiers, and how many new recruits vs transfers will populate KGA.

• Equipment details: which exact systems will be standard, how quickly the unit will reach full strength, what the operational readiness will be.

• Impact for Nepal: whether Nepalese‐based recruitment or training changes, how this affects the broader Gurkha recruitment pipeline.