The British Army has formally expressed its intent to begin recruiting women into the historic Brigade of Gurkhas, a move that would mark a significant milestone in the regiment’s 200-year history. However, the proposal remains subject to agreement from the Government of Nepal, the UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
In a written response to questions from MPs, Defence Minister Luke Pollard stated that the British Army is continuing discussions with Kathmandu over the possible inclusion of female recruits, but emphasised that no unilateral decision can be made due to long-standing bilateral arrangements between the two nations.
“The British Army’s wish to recruit women has been communicated to the Government of Nepal and we will continue to engage them on this subject,” said Pollard.
Currently, all serving Gurkha soldiers in the British Army are men. While the UK opened up all combat roles to women in 2018, Gurkha recruitment is governed by agreements signed after Nepalese independence, requiring mutual consent on recruitment policy.
Strategic Presence in Brunei Maintained
The Minister also confirmed that the Royal Gurkha Rifles will continue to operate from the British Army base in Brunei, which provides vital training grounds for jungle warfare. The base hosts a permanent British presence and is viewed as a key strategic asset in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The resident battalion of The Royal Gurkha Rifles continues to make use of jungle training in Brunei within the permitted training parameters,” Pollard said in response to a written question from James Cartlidge MP.
Recruitment Numbers to Remain Flexible
In response to separate parliamentary questions from Dr Andrew Murrison MP, the Ministry of Defence stated that there are no fixed recruitment targets for Gurkhas over the next five years. Instead, the number of recruits is reviewed annually based on operational needs.
“The number of recruits required for the Brigade of Gurkhas is managed on an annual basis and depends on factors such as retirements, transfers and any changes in unit Order of Battles,” said Pollard.
The Brigade of Gurkhas continues to be a vital component of the British Army, renowned for its combat prowess, loyalty, and professionalism. The introduction of female Gurkhas would represent a major cultural and operational shift, subject to Nepalese approval.
