Leuchars to miss out to Lincolnshire on RAF aircraft return

New review will have maritime patrol planes in England

David Cameron will today unveil nine new maritime patrol aircraft for the UK – but none will be based at Leuchars.

Speculation had raged in the run up to the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) that the RAF could be in line to return to Fife.

But that dream now looks dead with reports suggesting they will be stationed at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.

A senior UK Government source said Leuchars, now home to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is “pretty much set as an army base” after the RAF relocated to Moray last year.

They added: “The runway is being kept for use if needed but I wouldn’t expect it to be at this stage.”

The decision was slammed by former North East Fife MP Baron Campbell of Pittenweem.

He said: “If these reports are correct then it is clear that the flawed choice to send the Typhoons from Leuchars to Lossiemouth is adversely affecting government decision-making. The obvious place to base maritime patrol aircraft is in the north of Scotland, where the Shackletons and later the Nimrods were based for more than 40 years.

“Once again Leuchars will lose out but equally to the point, the disposition of Britain’s air resources will be skewed.”

SNP Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman, a Defence Committee member, said the changes would harm local communities and weaken the UK’s ability to respond new threats.

He added: “It is outrageous that the UK Government would consider basing the Maritime Patrol Aircraft Scotland badly needs in Lincolnshire and have seemingly ruled out reopening Leuchars as an RAF base.”

The Prime Minister’s announcement will see a £178 billion investment in defence equipment and support over the next decade.

It includes a £12bn uplift in the equipment budget, nine new Boeing P8 maritime patrol aircraft and two New Strike Brigades by 2025 for rapid deployment missions.

He is also expected to make further announcements, including focusing aid on fragile states and regions to tackle the root causes of conflict.

Mr Cameron said: “By sticking to our long-term economic plan, Britain has become the fastest growing major advanced economy in the world for the last two years.

“Our renewed economic security means we can afford to invest further in our national security.”

Pictures: Dougie Nicolson and Kerry Davies/INS/REX. Top: a busy Leuchars airbase. Above: one of the Boeing P8 maritime patrol aircraft which it now seems will be based at RAF Waddington.