Gurkhas to power Army's new elite regiment

FEARSOME Gurkha soldiers will be used in a new Army regiment that could be sent to Ukraine in the wake of a peace deal with Russia.

- By Marco Giannangeli

The regiment, approved by Defence Secretary John Healey, will initially include 500 of the Nepalese troops as an elite surveillance unit.

Part of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, it will also help address the regiment's 700-soldier shortfall, which has become a pressing concern after Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and aggression towards the UK and other European allies.

It comes as British Army head General Sir Roly Walker assesses the readiness of UK troops for a potential deployment to Ukraine later this year, as part of a multi-national security and stabilisation operation.

Europe's military chiefs will meet in Paris on Tuesday to make plans.

So far, 20 countries have agreed to the move.

While Gurkhas have a proven track record for skill and ferocity on the battlefield, they are more commonly associated with infantry roles.

But the head of the Royal Regiment of Artillery has confirmed plans to create a new Gurkha Artillery regiment.