The Royal Gurkha Rifles

All Gurkha soldiers are recruited in Nepal.

British Officers are recruited from across the UK and Commonwealth.

All Officers are expected to speak Nepali and will attend a language course in Nepal. 

The Royal Gurkha Rifles are part of the Infantry. The Infantry is at the heart of the Army. It is at the core of the Army’s Ground Close Combat capability. Trained to out-think, outwit, outmanoeuvre, outfight, and outlast any adversary, anywhere. Ready to operate across a very range of challenging climatic and geographical environments, amongst diverse populations, and alongside allies.

The Royal Gurkha Rifles was formed on 1 July 1994, after the amalgamation of four Gurkha Regiments, 2 GR, 6 GR, 7 GR and 10 GR. 

During this time, battalions of the Royal Gurkha Rifles have taken part in operations in Kosovo, Bosnia, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Australia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Malawi.

The Royal Gurkha Rifles now consists of two battalions and two RANGER Companies. One Battalion is based in Shorncliffe in Kent, another in Brunei in South East Asia and F and G RANGER Regiment companies are based in Aldershot.

A more detailed history on the Gurkha service to the crown, and of our forebear Regiments can be found on our association website.

There are 2 battalions and two additional companies that form The Royal Gurkha Rifles:

• The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles located in Brunei, South East Asia
• The Second Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles located in Shorncliffe, Kent
• F (Falklands) Company - part of 2nd Battalion, The RANGER Regiment
• G (Coriano) Company - part of the 4th Battalion, The RANGER Regiment