The UK Government plans to station a dozen more Typhoon jets at RAF Lossiemouth and bring an extra 400 personnel to the base. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said he “expects” the Moray airbase to play host to another squadron of the fighter aircraft.

Typhoon is a highly agile aircraft, designed to be a supremely effective dogfighter when in combat with other aircraft. Later production aircraft have been increasingly better equipped to undertake air-to-surface strike missions and to be compatible with a likewise increasing number of different armaments and equipment including Storm Shadow and the RAF’s Brimstone. 

Speaking before his speech to the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh, Mr Fallon said:

“Lossiemouth is where the maritime patrol aircraft are going to go and I expect one of the two new Typhoon squadrons to be based there. We will be creating two additional frontline RAF typhoon squadrons, and I am pleased to confirm today our preferred option is to base one of those new squadrons at RAF Lossiemouth.”

He later added: “Now we are investing in proven aircraft that will be based in Lossiemouth and will be bringing an extra 400 RAF personnel to Lossiemouth.”

The announcement was made after Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson said Lossiemouth had fought “tooth and nail” to retain a strong military presence.

Lossiemouth is one of the largest and busiest fast-jet stations in the Royal Air Force and known for its close proximity to flight training areas in Scotland and it’s favourable local flying conditions. It is now the only operational RAF station in Scotland and is one of two main operating bases for the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 in the UK.

The base is home to three frontline units which operate the Typhoon (No. 1 Squadron, No. 2 (AC) Squadron and No. 6 Squadron) each of which contribute to the Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) North capability which provides protection to the UK’s airspace 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison

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