Repeated assurances over 45 Commando

Repeated assurances have been given over a continued 45 Commando presence at Condor since the announcement almost exactly two years ago the airfield is to be disposed of under a review of Ministry of Defence (MoD) assets.

An MoD spokesperson said: “We are one of the biggest landowners in Scotland, with an estate more than eight times the size of the City of Glasgow. The government is committed to having an enduring defence presence in Scotland and we continue to invest heavily in our estate.

“Protecting the UK will always be our top priority and the Royal Marines will play a vital role in the defence of our country. Just last month we launched the Modernising Defence Programme to strengthen our armed forces in the face of intensifying threats.

“In November 2016 the MoD announced the intention to dispose of the airfield at RM Condor by 2020, but no decisions have been taken about the rest of the site.

“Our Better Defence Estate strategy will deliver a more efficient, modern and capability-focused defence estate.”

The UK Government launched a review last month of the military’s needs in the wake of warnings from within Whitehall that the MOD was facing spending cuts.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson did little to quell fears Royal Marine numbers are at risk, including those based in Angus.

At a Westminster committee, the Conservative MP said they put a “great value” on the amphibious force, but said it will have to change “without a shadow of a doubt”.

Mr Williamson told MPs yesterday: “Do we need to have the ability to have amphibious vessels? “Yes we do. “Will they be different in the future to what we currently have?

“I would say almost certainly they probably will be different.”