Case for keeping RAF Leuchars is overwhelming

Ted Brocklebank, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid-Scotland & Fife, has today written to the Defence Secretary, following speculation that RAF Leuchars could face closure.

Ted Brocklebank MSP said:

"It is only right that with a £38bn gap in defence spending inherited from the last Labour Government, all contingencies are reviewed. That means a thorough assessment of all military programmes and bases.

"However, the case for RAF Leuchars is overwhelming. Since the end of the Second World War it has been regarded as one of the UK's two main fighter strike bases. It has a pivotal strategic position on the east coast and is adjacent to a huge number of population centres.

"Decisions on how the UK's air defences are deployed and where aircraft should be based must be made on a strategic, non-political basis. I believe that once these considerations are made, the argument for keeping Leuchars open is unanswerable. I have today written to the Defence Secretary making these points."

Below is the text of letter Ted Brocklebank today sent to the Defence Secretary:

Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP

Secretary of State for Defence

The Ministerial Correspondence Unit
Floor 5, Zone A, Main Building
Whitehall
London
SW1A 2HB

22 November 2010

Further to my letter dated 22 July and the subsequent response from Mr Peter Luff MP regarding the future of RAF Leuchars in my region, you will be aware of further press speculation about its long-term role as the main striker base in the UK.

Since the end of World War 2 and since the formation of nine Expeditionary Air Wings in 2006, Leuchars has been regarded as one of the UK's two main fighter strike base because of its strategic position on the east coast and adjacent to the main population centres and Scotland's capital city.

Leuchars has been equipped at a cost of around £40m as the home base for the Eurofighter Typhoon. The first of these squadrons is already operating successfully from Leuchars. Decisions on how the UK's air defences are deployed and where aircraft should be based must be made on a strategic, non-political basis.

It is right that all contingencies should be reviewed under the SDR but I remain convinced that Leuchars will emerge as the right location for the strategic role Eurofighter Typhoons will play in the UK's defences.

I humbly submit that this should be the only consideration when final decisions are made.

Yours

Ted Brocklebank

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