Royal Gurkhas renew links, cooperation

**British High Commissioner Keith Scott (middle) welcoming members of the Second Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles to Papua New Guinea at the British High Commission in October. – Picture supplied**

SOLDIERS from the Second Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles based in Brunei visited Papua New Guinea in October for the first time in more than 20 years.
The battalion spent a month at Taurama Barracks in Port Moresby helping the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) with ceremonial and bagpipe training.
The visit renewed links between the two forces, marking a period of enhanced military cooperation between the United Kingdom (UK) and PNG.
The UK Defence Academy has already run three virtual strategic leadership programmes in PNG – first in last November, second in May and last programme this month.
“I am delighted that the UK Gurkhas have been able to respond to a request for support from the PNGDF and re-establish long-standing links between the two forces,” said British High Commissioner Keith Scott.
The UK has supported the PNG Defence Force’s pipes and drums, including their attendance at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney in 2019.