Ministers accused of ‘hollowing out’ Britain’s defence capability

Ministers have been accused of “hollowing out” the UK’s defence capability after new figures showed 17 maritime patrol aircraft belonging to Nato allies were deployed to a key British airbase last year.

Eight US aircraft as well as planes from Germany, France, Norway and Canada were temporarily deployed to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland between January and November.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it had “robust” maritime surveillance in place and was committed to spending £3 billion on nine new P-8 Poseidon aircraft to patrol the seas from 2020.

SNP MP Martin Docherty Hughes said: “These figures reaffirm how disastrous the decision to chop up, quite literally, the RAF’s Nimrod fleet in 2010 was.

“While we are always grateful for support from our allies, they must be acutely aware of the hollowing out of UK defence capability that this maritime patrol deficit highlights.”

The figures were obtained by Mr Docherty-Hughes in a written parliamentary question.

Maritime patrol aircraft are designed to undertake long journeys over water, on tasks including reconnaissance and search and rescue.

The UK used Nimrod planes for the missions for decades, but a project to replace its ageing fleet was scrapped by ministers in 2010 amid delays and rising costs.

An MoD spokesman said: “We have robust, multi-layered maritime surveillance including both RAF and international allies’ aircraft, as well as sonar-fitted frigates and submarines.

“For the future we are committed to investing £3 billion into nine new P-8 Poseidon aircraft to patrol the seas from 2020.”

Picture: Sandy McCook. An American Navy Poseidon at RAF Lossiemouth.