The UK Government’s rebasing plans have been branded a “disgrace” as it emerged Leuchars will receive about 500 personnel less than first promised.
Scotland’s Veterans’ Minister Keith Brown said the failure of Defence Secretary Philip Hammond to match commitments given by his predecessor Liam Fox was a “betrayal” during an address to the Scottish Parliament despite an overall personnel increase of about 600 north of the border.
It came as The Courier discovered army figures distributed after the announcement a spokeswoman said about 1,100 troops would arrive when the Fife site ceases to be an airbase were an overestimate.
An MoD spokesman confirmed that the number would be between 800 and 850.
During his speech, Mr Brown said: “At Leuchars, though it has now finally been confirmed that army units will be based there to replace the RAF, the numbers, though not yet confirmed, will not reach the 1,300 which Liam Fox promised.
“Equally, Liam Fox talked of an army HQ at Leuchars. That was absent from Philip Hammond’s statement and questions remain about what, if anything, that will amount to.
“Also a disappointment in Fife will be the confirmation that no army units will be based at the current Royal Navy facility at Caledonia in Rosyth.”
Redford in Edinburgh will be the new army HQ in Scotland.
Mr Brown, a former marine who served in the Falklands, added clarity is needed on the partial disposal of the army site at Forthside in Stirling, as the HQ of 51 Brigade is relocated.
Highlighting the impact on serving soldiers, Mr Brown told MSPs: “It would be interesting to listen in barrack rooms around the country to see what squaddies are saying about the announcement.
“They’re getting shuffled around Scotland from different barracks to different barracks.”
About 70% of the army will be brought back by the end of 2015 and the final 4,300 will return by the end of 2019.
The move is expected to save £240 million a year, according to the UK Government. About £100 million will be spent refurbishing the defence estate in Scotland, where the army’s presence will grow to about 4,000 by 2020. Mr Fox pledged in 2011 that the size of the army would increase from about 3,500 to 8,500.
Mr Brown said Scottish ministers were not approached before the new defence plans were revealed but faced questions about the Scottish Government’s alternative defence plans, assuming independence after the referendum next year.
The SNP says it expects to spend about £2.5 billion on a Scottish defence force with about 15,000 personnel. Mr Brown said Scotland already has a stake in the armed forces and would be able to negotiate rationally.
Labour MSP Mark Griffin said the UK Government decision on troop numbers is disappointing. He asked for a “categoric assurance” that there would be no savage cuts under independence.
Tory MSP Alex Johnstone welcomed the increase in troop numbers and attacked the SNP administration.
“Why on Earth does this anti-combat Government want more troops but doesn’t want them ever to be deployed anywhere?” he asked.