No further cuts in British Gurkha troops

The British government Thursday announced that the Brigade of Gurkhas will survive the cuts being planned for the post-2020 army structure.

97000 existing regular soldiers will be reduced to 82000 regulars, bolstered by a part-time force of 30000 Territorial Army soldiers while the Brigade of Gurkhas, which will play a full part in this new structure, will number 2600 soldiers and officers, serving in two Infantry Battalions, an Engineer, a Signals and a Logistic Regiment, a statement issued by the British embassy said.

"Although we spare a thought for those in other regiments that will fold or amalgamate, I am delighted that the Brigade has survived these difficult cuts", the statement quoted the Defence Attache at the British Embassy as saying.

"This is good news for our Gurkhas and for Nepal, and is testament to the high regard that the British Government and people have for their Gurkhas, as well as to the Brigade's success and reputation on operations. We will continue to invest in our recruiting and welfare activities in Nepal."

Last month, the British government had announced 320 redundancies (out of 2900) in the Gurkha troops who will lose jobs this year.