There are strong indications that RAF Leuchars will not close as part of the government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).
The Fife base, along with RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss, was seen as being at possible risk in the run-up to the publication of the white paper.
In the end, no mention of any base closure was made. Instead, Prime Minister David Cameron opted to focus on how Britain will engage the RAF for its operations.
The Eurofighter Typhoon fleet was highlighted as a linchpin in this strategy good news for the future of the Fife base, which is to be home to three squadrons of the aircraft costing £67 million each.
Only last month the first of these new squadrons, Number 6 Squadron, officially formed at the base.
The multi-role combat aircraft is due to take over flight operations as of next March when 111 (Fighter) Squadron disbands.
To properly equip the station for the new arrivals, around £130 million is expected to be spent on developing the base over the next five years.
The new fighters will play a pivotal role in policing British airspace when they take over the quick reaction alert role which intercepts unidentified aircraft and is on 24-hour alert all year.
A stark reminder of the ongoing threat to UK airspace was delivered shortly before the SDSR was released when RAF Leuchars scrambled Tornado fighters into the skies to intercept Russian military aircraft.
The publication of the SDSR also revealed around 5000 personnel posts will be axed over the next five years.
At Leuchars, around 900 base personnel and 250 civilians are employed, having a major influence not just in the day-to-day operation at the station but also in the local community.
No information was released in the SDSR as to whether Leuchars will be forced to make cuts in this area.
North East Fife MP and member of the foreign affairs select committee Sir Menzies Campbell described RAF Leuchars as being “essential to the defence of the realm” and expects it to remain so.
“The Prime Minister’s statement contained no specific details about bases but he emphasised the importance of the Typhoon fleet in Britain’s air defence,” said Sir Menzies.
“In the light of the incidents in the last 24 hours which involved RAF Leuchars scrambling aircraft to intercept potential intruders into British airspace, he was right to do so.”
Local councillor Ron Caird added his opinion that with so much investment spent on the base in preparation for the Typhoons, it makes sense to keep the base open.
“Leuchars is important to the whole of Scotland really not just in terms of its air operations but with its strategic position,” he said. “It plays a massive role in the community and I know local folk would hate to see it close.”
Elsewhere, the chairwoman of Leuchars Community Council, Carroll Finnie, said she had spoken with people in the village who she described as being elated at the news.
“The community has come to depend on RAF Leuchars. Around 80% of the children who go to school belong to RAF parents,” she said. “Without them it would be a ghost town.
“I am also really happy for those who work at the base not like in Kinloss where its future is up in the air. It must be a terrible time up there.”