Gurkhas of the South Pacific

It's well known that the British army has its own foreign legion in the form of the Gurkhas - Nepalese soldiers who have fought for the British since the early 19th century. At present, around 3500 Nepalese serve in the Brigade of Gurkhas.

What's less known is that over 2000 Fijians are also serving in the British army (h/t Glamdring). The British like the Fijians because they are good soldiers and provide manpower for understrength infantry battalions. The Fijians are lured by good wages and steady jobs. In the Royal Regiment of Scotland, almost one soldier in ten is Fijian, and several Fijians have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Recently, the Sydney Morning Herald suggested that the Australian army could also recruit Pacific Islanders for service in the 'Arc of Instability'. The Interpreter took issue with this, partly on the basis that hiring large numbers of Fijian soldiers could compromise Australian army operations if it had to "deploy to Fiji".

This is a good point, but there's a more important issue at stake. Since 1987, Fiji has experienced three military coups and a great deal of unrest (including another coup, and a mutiny). The country is presently ruled by a military strongman, Commodore Frank Bainimarama. Having large numbers of ex-mercenaries hanging about, whether British or Australian-trained, plus serving and former members of the Fiji Military Forces, does not augur well for future stability.

Comments

[Phil]

See also this report on Fijians signing up for PMCs. Fijian mercenaries have a very interesting history in Bougainville and the Solomons, as well:
*Wikipedia
*Pacific Empire
*Pacific Empire again

[exkiwiforces]

Fijian Defence Force the "Gurkhas of the South Pacific" then what you call New Zealand Defence Force? with all us Ex NZDF pers serving in the ADF, CAF and the Poms.

[Kotare]

Ummm, interesting point, but I don't know...how would you describe yourselves?

[exkiwiforces]

Peter, I was thinking down at the Baggies(O.R's)Bar tonight watching that Ping Pong game called Australian Rules and i came up with a couple of names they are as follows: I like this one, rename the NZDF to the Australian, British, Canadian, Commonweath Training Depot of New Zealand (ABCCTDofNZ).

The others are a bit of piss take at Pollies

"The Wild Geese of the South Sea's",
"Wild Geese of New Zealand",
"Helen's Wild Geese" or "Helen's Cossack's" (I left in early 98) or should that be Jenny's and Helen's Wild Geese" as there was alot us that left the NZDF when the Nat's were in power 91- 99.

[Kotare]

I like the Wild Geese of the South Pacific idea, Allen. It sits well with the Irish heritage that many of us have, and it sounds a heck of a lot more catchy than "ABCCTDofNZ".

[Glamdring]

Kotare, I’ve heard that Iraq based NZ contractors refer to themselves as the “3rd NZEF”.

Agree with you on the problems created by returned Fijian serviceman. A coup against the current Bainimarama regime is likely going to split the FDF, possibly making for a much bloodier event then past coups.

For now - I think the Fijians can rest easy about the UK MOD’s proposal. Fijians (and other foreign volunteers) seem to be quite willing to take on military careers in the “teeth arms”; which is where the most need is. Compounding this is a report in the Economist* that the new Maoist Government of Nepal has started making noises about ending the British recruitment of Gurkha volunteers.

I'm surprised that the UK MOD is not tackling the problem of why they cannot hire enough Britons to do this work/duty?

*http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11057127

[exkiwiforces]

Glamdring: One of the main reasons why Britions aren't signing up to join the armed forces is pay and conditons. Like here in the ADF, NZDF, and the CAF etc the pollies expect alot from us but we get bugger all in return.

Also the Brit Armed Forces have had some major cut backs over the last couple of years which means they are doing more with less and that adds even more stress on the troops when on ops, lack of equipment to work up training before going on ops and when get there you might find half your gear is U/S for the lack of spare parts. From what a couple of my mates have been saying the Brit Armed Forces is almost like the NZDF of the 90's/00's lacking in every dept.

If you have access to Jane's Defence website or it mag's the ongoing problems facing the Brit Forces is a big eye opener. Just like here in Oz and in NZ we have all the the same problems in some way. Poor pay, lack of manpower, lack of equip and the pollies expect alot from us but we get bugger all in return.

[Glamdring]

Thanks for that Xkiwiforces. I'm willing to bet that sorting out pay and conditions of the UK Mil is a considerably more diffcult issue, then the on the UK MOD is currently addressing; the "non problem" of too many friendly foreigners volunteering.