Overview
- King Charles III inspected a formation parade at Larkhill Barracks on Thursday, praised the new regiment as a reaffirmation of UK–Nepal ties, and took part in ceremonial elements including a 21‑gun salute and presentation of a traditional mala.
- The King’s Gurkha Artillery is the British Army’s first dedicated Gurkha artillery regiment, formally established in April 2025 with a new cap badge approved by the monarch in April 2026.
- The Ministry of Defence plans for about 400 Gurkha personnel to join the unit over three years so Gurkha gunners can serve across 1st Division, 3rd Division and the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team.
- The government says Gurkha gunners will train on modern systems such as the Archer self‑propelled gun, the Light Gun and the remote‑controlled Howitzer 155 to reflect lessons on precision and integration from recent conflicts.
- Operational rollout and integration remain a work in progress under the Ministry of Defence and Royal Artillery commands, and the move will broaden career opportunities for Gurkha soldiers while reshaping artillery manpower and training over the next few years.