Salmond makes up defence policy on the hoof

The SNP have said a separate Scotland would have one naval base, one army base and one mobile armed brigade.

Alex Salmond previously fought to retain all three of Scotland's air force bases and his latest vision of how a Scottish defence would look seems to have been made on the hoof with little or no real detail.

This latest announcement just confirms that the SNP seem determined to hold their referendum vote without giving the Scottish people all the facts of what a separate Scotland would look like.

Ruth Davidson said:

"Alex Salmond is making up defence policy on the back of an envelope.

"I have seen, first-hand, the professionalism of our armed forces and know that they are a force for good in our world.

"That professionalism is achieved through rigorous training, and close working between frontline personnel and supporting arms and services.

"The SNP seems to have given no thought as to how a Scottish force would operate in practice; that supporting arms such as the Royal Engineers, Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Artillery, Royal Signals and Royal Logistics Corps are needed by a modern infantry in order to deploy effectively.

"Alex Salmond has done an about-face over the needs of the Airforce, having previously stated they want all three Scottish RAF bases to stay open, but now says a Scottish Air Force would need but one. Their ideas for a Scottish Navy are sketchy at best and incoherent at worst.

"The very idea that thousands of personnel would thoughtlessly transfer over to Alex Salmond's own manufactured defence force is insulting to all those currently serving, and those who have died in the line of duty, while protecting British interests.

"If Alex Salmond wants to have a serious debate about the constitution he needs to give proper answers about serious issues such as defence. On this showing, he's failed."

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