The future of RAF Leuchars in Fife looks bleak after Defence Secretary Liam Fox hinted that Lossiemouth could be spared in the latest defence cuts.
After scrapping the fleet of Nimrod surveillance aircraft, the RAF is set to leave Kinloss, in Moray, after the three squadrons based there were officially disbanded last month.
And Dr Fox told Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee on Tuesday that he “understood” the economic implications for Moray if the nearby Lossiemouth base was also to go.
That leaves RAF Leuchars looking increasingly likely to close, with a strong possibility army troops returning from Germany could be based there instead.
Although Dr Fox insisted no final decision had been made, he added, “I don’t think you need to be an economic expert to understand the implications of the local economy in Moray were two bases to disappear. So we are aware of that. It is a very complex set of issues to be juggling with.”
The hint piles pressure on axe-threatened RAF Leuchars, where strike Typhoons are based. There have already been suggestions that the air base could be scrapped by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and reused as a home to army personnel withdrawn from Germany.
And that was also backed up by Dr Fox, who said the bases would learn their fate by July 19.
“I would simply point out that with some 17,000 leaving the armed forces and some 20,000 coming back from Germany, that doesn’t leave you with a great deal of room as far as accommodation goes,” he said.
While Dr Fox admitted that Scotland has already taken more than its share of defence cuts, he stressed military decisions were not made using an “ethnic ledger” but on strategic and budgetary considerations.
“I am aware of the fact that, between 2000 and 2010, the total reduction was 11.6% but the reduction in Scotland was 27.9%,” he said. “So over the decade there were bigger reductions made in personnel as a proportion than in other parts of the UK.”
SNP MP Eilidh Whiteford, who serves on the Scottish Affairs Committee, said last night both Leuchars and Lossiemouth should be kept open.
Dr Whiteford said, “Scotland has already endured mammoth defence cuts over the last decade, and every indication is that this will be compounded by decisions being taken within the strategic defence review.”
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“Since the last defence review in 1997, there have been more than 10,500 defence job losses in Scotland and there has been a defence underspend of at least £5.6 billion.
“Given these unacceptable circumstances, it is unbelievable that the UK Government is still considering the closure of two thirds of the air force bases in Scotland and a 25% reduction in established service personnel.”
Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife, reiterated the defence case for the retention of RAF Leuchars, saying, “If the decision about RAF bases in Scotland is made on what is best for defence, as the Defence Secretary acknowledged today, then I have no doubt whatsoever that RAF Leuchars will be retained.
“Ever since the future of Leuchars came under review, I along with the local community and the task force have consistently maintained that the strategic defence argument was unanswerable. No one has ever seriously questioned that fact.
“If you want to defend the majority of the population of Scotland and northern England down as far as Sunderland, Leuchars is the best place from which to do so. That remains the case.”
Keeping RAF Leuchars open has received cross-party support at the Scottish Parliament, something local campaigners hope will send the strongest possible message to Westminster.
The critical role played by RAF Leuchars in defending the northern half of Britain from potential terrorist attacks has been widely acknowledged.
During Tuesday’s session Dr Fox gave no indication about the future of RM Condor in Arbroath, which has also been dogged by rumours it is to close.
The local campaign group established to fight RAF Leuchars’ corner urged Dr Fox to take into account the station’s strategic importance and role in the Middle East.
As the strategic affairs committee quizzed the Defence Secretary on proposed defence cuts, Residents Action Force for Leuchars’ vice-chairman Bob Garmory insisted no other base was better positioned and equipped to defend the UK.
He said, “We are aware of the crucial period we are entering during the MoD’s defence review, and we are eager to reiterate and stress the strategic importance of RAF Leuchars and the retention of the Quick Reaction Alert Force of Typhoon aircraft there.
“The ever-changing situation in the Middle East and the current military intervention that our squadrons that have been involved in only endorse the capability, expertise and suitability of RAF Leuchars.
“I would urge Dr Fox to consider all of this before coming to any conclusion on the defence review.”