Source: BBC NEWS
RAF bases set for aircraft boost
The Ministry of Defence is set to announce plans to safeguard hundreds of jobs and the long-term future of three RAF bases in Scotland.
Ministers are expected to say new aircraft are to be deployed at the RAF bases at Lossiemouth and Kinloss in the north east, and Leuchars in Fife.
Scotland has already been affected by wider RAF cuts.
Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram announced more than 1,000 job cuts at the Scots bases in March this year.
However, BBC Scotland Westminster Correspondent David Porter said Thursday's news is expected to be far more palatable.
The future of RAF Lossiemouth is set to be guaranteed as a home for the new fighter Joint Combat aircraft, which will replace Harriers used by the RAF and Royal Navy.
Aircraft orders
It is believed the UK Government is planning to order 64 of the new aircraft.
Supporters say Lossiemouth is ideally situated, as an existing Tornado base, and is well placed for flight training in the Highlands.
RAF Kinloss already has Nimrod early-warning aircraft and has a commitment until 2013.
Its long-term future will be guaranteed by the confirmation that a new version of the plane will be based there.
RAF Leuchars in Fife is expected to be the location for the new Typhoon combat aircraft.
In March, Mr Ingram announced that 700 jobs at Lossiemouth would be affected by changes, 180 at the base in Kinloss and 160 at RAF Leuchars as part of the MoD shake-up.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/s ... 444352.stm
Published: 2005/11/17 06:08:15 GMT
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Scotland - RAF bases set for aircraft boost!
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