The suggested ”unravelling” of plans to reconfigure army bases in Scotland could pave the way for Leuchars to be named as the location for the country’s new multi-role brigade (MRB), a military expert has told The Courier.
Stuart Crawford served as an officer in the Royal Tank Regiment and is a recognised commentator on defence issues.
He said recent doubts cast on the viability of the blueprint for the army in Scotland and in particular on the creation of new ‘super barracks’ at Kirknewton, near Edinburgh, could boost the likelihood of the MRB being stationed at Leuchars.
Even so, he agreed with other experts The Courier has consulted that the number of variables in the mix makes the future of the Leuchars base almost impossible to predict.
The Courier has been examining the background to the planned closure of RAF Leuchars in 2014, when air service personnel are expected to be replaced by army units.
Locals have spoken of their frustration at the continuing unwillingness of the Ministry of Defence to fill in the fine detail of the plans, and even to give a cast-iron guarantee that they will take place.
Leuchars is home to a squadron of Typhoon Eurofighters, which will be redeployed to RAF Lossiemouth under the blueprint.For a special in-depth look at the future for the Leuchars base, see today’s Courier