The campaign to retain RAF Leuchars has been handed a massive boost after defence chiefs were warned any alternative would leave Scotland facing an “economic disaster.”
A source close to the UK Government told The Courier the “best case” scenario would see the RAF staying put at the base.
Meanwhile, army troops returning from Germany would be housed in Moray, home to RAF Lossiemouth RAF Kinloss.
It is understood a briefing paper being studied by senior defence officials warns that retention of the RAF in Moray would lead to a dramatic drop in local employment.
It is widely believed that, if Leuchars were to close, the quick reaction alert (QRA) service its Typhoons provide would be relocated to Lossiemouth.
Meanwhile, the Tornados at Lossiemouth would be taken to Marham, Norfolk.
However, defence chiefs are being warned the QRA service actually requires far fewer employees than work in Moray. Our source described the strenuous campaign to save RAF Lossiemouth on economic grounds as “naive.”
“The fact is that if Lossiemouth gets QRA then Moray will have just one third of its previous Ministry of Defence employment,” he said. “That would represent an economic disaster.”
A briefing paper seen by The Courier reveals that there were 3200 military personnel and over 800 civilians employed by Moray’s two bases.
However, if Lossiemouth were to take over QRA at the expense of Leuchars, there would be a requirement for just 1200 military and civilian employees.
The Courier’s source was particularly scathing of chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, who has been active in the campaign to retain Lossiemouth.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey has been accused of trying to “appease” his neighbouring SNP rivals.
“Danny Alexander has been naive in his support for the retention of the RAF in Moray,” the source claimed. “He has seen it as a political win for him and also as a way of appeasing his SNP opponents.
“However, the fact is that if Lossiemouth gets QRA from Leuchars then Moray will only have one third of its previous Ministry of Defence employment.
“The best case scenario for Scotland economically is to have two full bases utilised by the army in the north at Lossiemouth and Kinloss. Meanwhile, RAF Leuchars would remain to guard and defend UK airspace.
“The army is not keen on going north, but ultimately it is is not their call.”
The recommendation paper before defence chiefs suggests that both Moray bases be used to house the army, with troops and their families living on site and in towns such as Elgin and Forres.
It is thought a decision on the future of the RAF bases will be announced within the next few days.
The campaign to retain Leuchars received a major boost last week when Prime Minister David Cameron outlined his admiration for the “remarkable” level of support for the Fife base.
That positive message came in the wake of revelations that the Ministry of Defence recently pumped £3 million into RAF Leuchars.
This prompted campaigners to suggest the “pendulum is swinging” in favour of the Fife base.