200 years on, women to be allowed to join Gurkhas

FEMALE soldiers will be able to join the Gurkhas for the first time in their 200-year history, it emerged yesterday.

They can sign up next year, as the British Army and Navy open up all combat roles for women.

But Gurkha command warns the women will have to endure the same gruelling selection test as the Nepalese male soldiers, which requires candidates to race up a hill in Nepal carrying 55lb of sand.

Those selected undergo a tenweek training course in Catterick, North Yorkshire. The first female Gurkhas could arrive in the UK for training in spring 2020, the Sunday Times reported.

Gavin Williamson, Defence Secretary, said: ‘The Gurkhas are renowned as one of the best fighting forces in the world ... and it is right that women have the opportunity to serve in this elite group.’