From: M O D Press Office Scotland
FUTURE SECURE FOR ALL THREE RAF BASES IN SCOTLAND
Defence in Scotland received a boost today when Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, announced that both the Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) and the new Nimrod MRA4 will be based at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss.
RAF Lossiemouth will be home for the new JCA, which will progressively replace the Harrier from around the middle of the next decade. The RAF's new fleet of Nimrod MRA4 will be based at RAF Kinloss when they enter service towards the end of this decade. It was also announced earlier this year that RAF Leuchars will be home to three squadrons of the new Typhoon, replacing the Tornado F3 around the end of this decade.
Lossiemouth was one of eight stations considered as a possible home for JCA, and was identified as the best option after a thorough year-long review. It provides excellent access to training areas, modern facilities and is most cost effective.
RAF Kinloss has a proven track record as a base for the current Nimrod MR2 fleet. A comprehensive study has shown that whilst RAF Waddington and RAF Kinloss would both be suitable operational bases, the substantial financial investment required at Waddington was not justifiable.
Adam Ingram said: "This is great news for RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss. It means both bases have an exciting and challenging future ahead. But this is also the right strategic decision for UK Defence. The Joint Combat Aircraft and new Nimrod are excellent examples of the more capable, flexible, expeditionary equipment that our Armed Forces need to meet modern defence challenges.
"It is important to get such a critical decision right, and I know the review has caused some uncertainty in Moray over the past year. So I would like to pay tribute to our staff, their families, and members of the local community for their patience and valuable help in the consultation process, and thank them for their support to the air bases year on year. As I've said before, Scotland is of great importance to defence, but defence is important to Scotland too - the decision announced today reinforces the future of Defence in Scotland and its local communities."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The review into JCA basing was announced on 11 October 2004. In all, eight options were considered: RAF Kinloss, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Marham, RAF St Mawgan, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Wittering, RNAS Yeovilton, and RAF Leeming which was added to the list in March.
2. Outcome of the study is that RAF Lossiemouth will be the initial base for JCA.
Stations discounted:
RAF Leeming - Adverse noise profile
RAF St Mawgan - An expensive option
RNAS Yeovilton - Potential severe noise impact/short runway/too far from training areas.
RAF Kinloss - High birdstrike rate/short runway.
RAF Wittering Limited space available
RAF Marham/RAF Cottesmore - Not ruled out completely, should a second base be required these stations will be considered. It is too early to say whether the second base will be necessary.
3. The study into Nimrod MRA4 basing considered RAF Kinloss and RAF Waddington. Waddington was considered in order to evaluate the advantages of co-locating Intelligence Surveillance Targeting and Reconnaissance with Nimrod on one base. The study found that whilst RAF Waddington and RAF Kinloss would both be suitable operational bases, the substantial financial investment required at RAF Waddington was prohibitive.
4. Trades Unions and local authorities have been consulted/informed as appropriate
5. The decision to discount RAF St Mawgan as an option for JCA means there is no long term Strike Command use for the airfield. This decision will allow Cornwall County Council to continue to plan for the long term future of Newquay Cornwall Airport (NCA). Discussions between MoD and DfT continue to ensure a smooth hand over of NCA to civilian authorities.
6. For more information please contact Sara Reed in the MoD Scotland press office on 0131 310 2004 or Matthew Willey in the MoD Press Office on 0207 218 7925 or Michael Mulford on 01309 672161 ext 7597.
7. The MoD web-site can be found at
http://www.mod.uk . You can find current information and pictures of the Nimrod MRA4 at:
www.mod.uk/dpa/projects/nimrod.htm ; and the JCA at:
www.mod.uk/dpa/projects/jca.htm and
www.mod.uk/dpa/news/pn2002/sept02/jump jets.htm
ENDS 17 November 2005