The Gurkhas are a unique unit in the Army with a reputation of being amongst the finest and most feared soldiers in the world.
Our Skills
All Gurkha soldiers are recruited in Nepal. British Officers are recruited from across the UK and Commonwealth.
The Royal Gurkha Rifles currently have a jungle role Battalion permanently based in Brunei and a Light Role Battalion in the UK as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade.
All Officers are expected to speak Nepali and will attend a language course in Nepal. The Gurkhas have only been eligible for the Victoria Cross since 1911. During this time 26 have been awarded, 13 to British Officers and 13 to Gurkha Soldiers.
Our History
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 three battalions, two of which are based in Shorncliffe in Kent, and the other in Brunei.
A more detailed history on the Gurkha service to the crown, and of our forebear Regiments can be found on our association website.
Our Locations
There are now 2 battalions of the Royal Gurkha Rifles:
- 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles located at Shorncliffe, Kent.
- 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles located in Brunei.
- A third battalion will start to reform in Jan 2020 which we be located in Shorncliffe.
Jungle Battalion
Our equipment
SA80 Individual Weapon
L115A3 Long Range 'Sniper' Rifle
L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifle
81mm Mortar
General Purpose Machine Gun
Combat Shotgun
Heavy Machine Gun
Light Machine Gun
Find out more about the Gurkhas
You can find out lots more about the Brigade of Gurkhas on our Brigade website. Including a detailed history, all our news and how to reach out to our veteran community.
Officer Recruitment
Most of our British Officers have degrees but some enter the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst direct from school or having previously joined the Army as a soldier. If you wish to become a Gurkha Officer please contact the Army Careers Adviser (ACA) who covers your school or university.
Alternatively, apply online via the Army Jobs website. Recruiting Group will then confirm your qualifications and put you in touch with the relevant ACA. Further more, anyone who wishes to know more about joining the Royal Gurkha Rifles as an officer should contact the Regimental Secretary.