Defence secretary confirms plan to use Leuchars base for returning army troops still stands
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) remains intent on moving the army into Leuchars following the RAF's departure, despite fears the proposal was in jeaopardy.
- Published in the Courier : 01.02.12
- Published online : 01.02.12 @ 03.04pm
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has offered an assurance the army will use the site on its return from Germany.
However, in a letter to North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell, Mr Hammond said it would not be possible to provide a detailed implementation plan until work on the future structure of the army is complete.
The news follows an announcement earlier this month that 4,200 redundancy notices are to be served on military personnel in June, in the second of three rounds of cuts which will ultimately see 17,000 jobs lost from the armed forces.
Many of the 2,900 redundancies planned for the army are understood to relate to posts in Germany from units due to move to Scottish bases — including those in Fife — prompting concern it could impact on plans for the Leuchars site.
Sir Menzies told The Courier the assurance the army will still use the base provides ''some small comfort.''
''Regrettably, the secretary of state is still not able to provide a timetable for the future of Leuchars,'' he added. ''But we can take some small comfort from the fact that he asserts that it remains the intent of the Ministry of Defence that the army will use the base on its return from Germany.''
Mr Hammond was responding to a letter from the MP expressing further concern at the outcome of the MoD's basing review, which will see the RAF move from Leuchars to Lossiemouth to be replaced by the army.
In his response to Sir Menzies, Mr Hammond said: ''I fully understand your concerns about RAF Leuchars given its importance to the community you represent, and I can therefore appreciate why you are determined to understand the background to the decisions that were made.''
He added that the return of forces based in Germany, coupled with a more efficient use of the defence estate, was a key element of the MoD's ''large, complex and essential'' transformation programme.
''For example, the additional costs of the forces currently based in Germany in respect of allowances and medical and educational support run at about £250m a year.''
Mr Hammond conceded the cost of building up a Typhoon force at RAF Lossiemouth was marginally higher than keeping the force at Leuchars, but said this was outweighed by the wider advantages to defence of using Leuchars for the multi role brigade to be based in Scotland.
''Developing the detailed implementation plan that is necessary is a complex process, which has a clear dependency with the work currently under way on the future structure of the army,'' he added.
''Until this is complete it will not be possible to provide specifics on the future usage of Leuchars, but I can assure you that it remains our intent that the army will use the site on its return from Germany.''
North East Fife MSP Roderick Campbell said the MoD's message was encouraging but the lack of a detailed timetable meant continued anxiety for the local community.
''This message is not new, and I received a similar message myself recently,'' he said. ''The longer the MoD takes to announce the results of the army basing review, the less time the local community have to make arrangements.
''It has been well over half a year since the then secretary of state for defence, Dr Liam Fox, made the announcement that RAF Leuchars would lose its airbase.
''In that time there has been no indication from the MoD as to when the army might arrive, and it is disappointing that there has been no new information since July 18.
''Without this key information the local community cannot start planning for their arrival, and the impact any changeover may have.''
03.46pm - 01.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
But surely the structure and future of the armed forces under the Union is secure for ever? We've been led to believe that only Scottish Independence brings insecurity and questions over future structure. Clearly Scots are being misled yet again by Unionist rhetoric and misinformation :(
06.29pm - 01.02.2012 Iain G. - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Why the negativity, Stuart? I suppose it's easier than trying to explain Mr Salmond's acceptance of the government's defence proposals as a basis for his SDF? He marched and demanded 3 bases only weeks ago, only to now accept that the Coalition's plans are OK and we only need one base.
08.30pm - 01.02.2012 dark days - Angus, Angus Report This
Here's what is really going to happen, and we're sleep walking into it. Close Condor as they rationalise number of bases, Leuchars has an active air strip and might survive. Or close both bases as they shrink the armed forces elsewhere. Wake up people b4 its to late
10.28pm - 01.02.2012 Trafalgar - Lossiemouth, UK Report This
Get that chip off your shoulder Stuart Allan,,, you're like a broken record!!!
08.55am - 02.02.2012 Ferryseven - Broughty Ferry, Scotland Report This
In an every changing world. The structure and future of the armed forces needs reviewed constantly. A penniless, oil spent independent Scotland will have no need for the armed forces as only the people who where crazy enough to vote SNP will be left staying here.
04.43pm - 02.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Not negativety Iain, only pointing out the glaring hypocrisy in the Unionist arguments over defence. The SDF structure will be determined by a review after Independence is achieved, based on the £3bn we are currently billed for defence and whatever the UK review leaves us.
04.52pm - 02.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Ferryseven; Scotlands finances are far stronger than the UKs. Between 2006-10, the UK ran up £410bn of debt compared to Scotlands £6.7bn. We are far from penniless and by governing in our own best interests (rather than SE England's), oil will become a bonus. If the Scandic countries can do it ... ?
08.15pm - 02.02.2012 Caomhlin - Dundee , Scotland Report This
Lol, Stuart. We are PART of the UK. How on earth can you divide the debt so Incompetently? Scottish debt is 9% of the total. It is simple maths. But as ever, SNP negativity towards Britain blinds both the party and its supporters leaving us to think SNP stands for Surely Nae Point.
10.47am - 03.02.2012 Iain G. - Dundee, Scotland Report This
stuart, what do you reckon a scots army will do if we vote for separation?
12.09pm - 03.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Caomhlin; Perhaps you should pay more attention. I didn't "divide" the debt. Scotland would currently inherit £85bn from the struggling UK. Thats our Union "dividend" :( The figures I posted are the actual sums the UK and Scotland each accumulated between 2006-10. Scotland far outperformed the UK.
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