Tornado jets like those which operated out of RAF Leuchars have been involved in 361 near crashes since the UK Government promised to introduce a collision-warning system.
SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson unearthed the figures just days after revealing the Ministry of Defence pledged to introduce the safety devices in 1998. They have still not been installed.
One account detailed by the Civil Aviation Authority reveals a Tornado pilot reported into the Fife air base after coming within 50 feet of crashing into another plane above Montrose.
The report, detailing the February 2009 incident, said: “Just after a turn he (the pilot) saw a Tutor ac appear suddenly in his 11 o’clock about 200m away.
“The Tutor was white against a white background; was on a constant bearing and therefore was very difficult to see.
“On seeing the Tutor, he initiated a slight wings-level bunt and it passed about 50-100ft in front of them and 50-100ft above. He assessed the risk as being high and reported the incident over the RT to Leuchars APP.”
The Tutor pilot also assessed “the risk as being high” when he reported the incident. The CAA assessed the incident as being B risk, where safety is not assured.
In its conclusion, the report added “that there had been a degradation of normally accepted safety standards”.
Typhoons are now flying from Leuchars, having replaced Tornados years ago.
The news comes as a decision is awaited whether a fatal accident inquiry will be conducted into last year’s collision of two Tornado jets from RAF Lossiemouth above the Moray Firth, which claimed the lives of three service personnel and caused serious injury to a fourth.
Mr Robertson said: “These statistics on aircraft near-collisions are truly shocking.
“What stands out are the 361 incidents involving RAF Tornado jets of which at least 46 were the most dangerous Risk Category A where a risk of an actual collision occurred and of those, at least eight were incidents involving two Tornados.
“Almost all aircraft types have collision avoidance systems to reduce the risk, but RAF Tornados which are involved the most in near-collisions do not.
“Tragically two Tornados from RAF Lossiemouth collided above the Moray Firth in 2012 killing three personnel and seriously injuring a fourth.
“We will learn shortly whether a fatal accident inquiry will be held into the circumstances and no doubt the absence of a collision warning system will be part of the considerations.”
The MoD did not respond to Courier requests for comment.
However, the department has previously said: “A specifically designed Tornado collision warning system, which will be another tool for pilots to use, is currently being trialled and will be in service next year.”