Nepali Gurkhas Join Wagner, The Dangerous Rising Appeal Of Enrolling In Private Military Companies

Reports indicate that Nepali Gurkhas have recently joined Wagner Group, Russia’s private military company, following the easing of rules that grant Russian citizenship after one year of military service.

This change, combined with the end of recruitment in the Indian Army and the allure of higher pay, has contributed to the increasing number of Nepali youth heading to Russia to join Wagner Group. Known for its efficiency, Wagner Group recruits individuals from the Russian military, incarcerated convicts, and foreign nationals.

The Nepali Gurkhas, renowned for their fierce warrior reputation, have reportedly joined Wagner Group, the private military company that recently staged a mutiny against Russian President Vladimir Putin. After Putin granted immunity to Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in exchange for avoiding treason charges and accepting exile in Belarus, the Wagner mercenaries are now returning to their base.

Wagner Group’s reputation for effectiveness, particularly demonstrated by their successful control of Bakhmut, a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine, has further attracted the attention of Nepali Gurkhas.

“This is a concerning situation. The Nepal government is not able to do anything about it as they have gone in an individual capacity,” strategic analyst Major General Binoj Basnyat (retired) from the Nepal Army

Why Are The Nepali Gurkhas Joining the Wagner Group?

Several factors have contributed to the trend of Gurkhas joining Wagner Group.

Firstly, the ease of acquiring Russian citizenship has been a significant attraction for Nepali youth. With the end of recruitment in the Indian Army and strained relations between Nepal and India, many Nepali Gurkhas sought alternative opportunities. Additionally, the allure of more favorable offers and higher pay in Wagner Group compared to their previous employment as security guards or in other occupations has motivated these individuals to embark on this new path.

Videos have surfaced on social media platforms, showcasing Nepali youths undergoing military training in Russia. One retired Nepal Army soldier, who was working as a security guard in Dubai, shared his experience of being enticed by the more appealing prospects offered by Wagner Group. He traveled to Moscow as a tourist and later joined the army through a Russian recruitment center. Notably, language proficiency in Russian is no longer a prerequisite for foreign recruits, and Wagner Group has attracted mercenaries from various Baltic and Nordic countries.

It is worth mentioning that prior to joining Wagner Group, there were reports of Nepali Gurkhas joining the Ukraine army to fight against Russia. As distinguished warriors with a legacy of serving in the British colonial army, Gurkhas have been sought after by several countries, including India, France, and Singapore, for their military expertise.

Wagner Group’s appeal lies in its reputation for superiority over the Russian army, particularly highlighted by their notable victory in Bakhmut. The group has established a strong image of bravery and adherence to a strict code of solidarity and loyalty, both within the group and towards Russia.

Wagner Group’s association with the Russian military and intelligence agencies, which supply weapons and provide training facilities, further bolsters its effectiveness. By operating in conflict-ridden regions of Africa and the Middle East, Wagner Group enables Russia to conduct military operations with plausible deniability and conceal Russian casualties. The allure of joining Wagner Group is amplified by the attractive compensation it offers, with recruits receiving up to $2,500 per month, a significant sum compared to the average monthly income in Russia.

The Tradition 

Wagner Group, though the most notorious today, is not the only private military company. In fact, two centuries back, the East India Company too had a private army. However, it worked on behalf of the British Crown.

The rise of private military companies can be traced back to the Cold War era when Western nations began outsourcing sensitive missions to them, capitalizing on their ability to provide easy deniability. However, the prominence of PMCs surged during the American wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as Western governments and corporations hired them for security, convoy protection, logistics, and rescue operations.

One of the most infamous private military companies, Blackwater (later known as Academi), gained notoriety for its rogue behavior in Iraq. The shooting of 17 civilians at Baghdad’s Nisour Square in 2007 triggered a significant backlash and highlighted the risks associated with PMCs.

Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, even harbored ambitions to establish a mega private military company in Ukraine. Despite the controversies surrounding certain PMCs, the industry continues to grow, with estimates placing the global private military and security industry at $224 billion in 2020, projected to reach $457 billion by 2030.

Private military companies or contractors are often hired by government departments for operations which could be too risky or controversial for state soldiers. They also train soldiers of small countries.

They have been hired to defend against sea pirates and fight poachers in Africa. Often, NGOs have hired them while operating in dangerous areas. Wealthy citizens hire them for rescue missions. Employees of private military companies and contractors are paid far more than regular government soldiers as they are subject to higher risk and can be disowned in case of trouble or controversy.

There was “a frenzy in the market” for private contractors in Ukraine, Robert Young Pelton, a Canadian-American author and expert on private military companies had told BBC last year after the Russian invasion.

Amid a gut-wrenching war in Ukraine, US and European private contractors said they were increasingly eying opportunities, ranging from ‘extraction’ missions to helping with logistics. Contractors were being hired for between $30,000 and $6 million to help remove people from Ukraine, Pelton said. The higher-end figure is for whole groups of families wanting to leave with their assets. A report from Aerospace & Defense News estimated the size of the global private military and security industry at $224 billion in 2020 and forecast it to reach $457 billion in 2030.

The Last Bit, The decision of Nepali Gurkhas to join Wagner Group reflects the changing landscape of modern warfare, where private military companies play an increasingly prominent role.

The appeal of Russian citizenship, higher pay, and the perception of Wagner Group’s effectiveness have attracted Nepali youth to this new path. However, the rise of PMCs raises ethical concerns and challenges traditional notions of state-centric military operations.

As the world grapples with the implications of private military companies, a critical examination of their role and regulations becomes imperative to maintain accountability and ensure adherence to international norms.