British Army plans to axe 800 Gurkhas

London, July 13 (ANI): Faced with immense pressure to trim the 34 billion pound budget, British Defence chiefs are planning to axe about 800 Gurkha warriors.

According to the Daily Express, up to three infantry battalions could go despite calls for more men.

"If it comes to cutting infantry battalions, the Gurkhas are now No 1 on the list. They were only saved from the axe in the last defence cuts because they were seen as being fantastic value," a defence source said.

"Although they are very good soldiers, they are now no less expensive than any other unit." There are about 3,500 Gurkhas," he added.

Branded by pro-Gurkhas as "madness" plans, the consideration of scrapping the battalion comes after a successful campaign by the Daily Express and actress Joanna Lumley for veterans to get the right to live here.

"They would be mad to do this. There'd be a huge outcry. The Army is disastrously over-stretched and Gurkhas are better at staying the course. Very few drop out. Our campaign has not made them more expensive," said Peter Carroll of the Gurkha Justice Campaign. (ANI)