The Ministry of Defence have signed a £230m contract with Boeing Defence UK.

According to a news release, the majority of the 153 BDUK jobs will be based at RAF Lossiemouth – the home of the Poseidon fleet – and will provide aircraft maintenance support and personnel alongside a comprehensive training package for aircraft crews.

The Ministry of Defence say that the remaining 46 jobs will be spread across sites at Bristol, Yeovil and Gosport.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

“Our new Poseidon fleet continues to grow from strength to strength and is already defending the UK’s maritime interests at home and abroad. This contract with Boeing Defence UK secures our critical submarine-hunting aircraft capabilities whilst also creating a home-grown training enterprise and creating over 150 British jobs.”

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

“This contract award and the creation of more than 100 jobs at RAF Lossiemouth is another great example of the benefits UK defence investment brings to Scotland.

The Moray station’s fleet of Poseidon submarine hunting aircraft are vital to maintaining the security of the UK and our NATO allies. And the prosperity generated by defence employment in Scotland, alongside the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs, will help us build back better from the pandemic.”

DE&S P-8A Poseidon team leader, Malcolm French said:

“I am extremely proud of the P-8A delivery team and what is yet another example of great delivery by DE&S. Placed to a tight timescale, and encompassing exacting requirements, this contract helps enable the full range of capability that Poseidon brings to be realised, sees our modern aircraft fully supported, and our personnel being trained from state-of-the-art facilities.”

Nine Poseidon have already been ordered from Boeing. Five aircraft named the ‘Pride of Moray’, ‘City of Elgin’, ‘Terence Bulloch’, ‘Spirit of Reykjavik’ and ‘Fulmar’ are all now operating out of Lossiemouth, with four more to come later this year.

Avatar photo
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
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

60 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
T.S
2 years ago

Anyone know what the plans are to arm the P8’s?

Goldilocks
Goldilocks
2 years ago
Reply to  T.S

I heard that the Mk 54 torpedo was going to be integrated, probably to save the time (but mainly the money) of integrating Sting Ray on to P-8. I’m also guessing that Harpoon is being fitted as I know the RAF does have its own stocks, just not sure it will be integrated however…

Jordan
Jordan
2 years ago
Reply to  Goldilocks

The RAF have existing stocks of Harpoons? Pretty sure that’s not the case.

Chris
Chris
2 years ago
Reply to  Jordan

It can use the existing block 2 stocks the RN have.

Paul T
Paul T
2 years ago
Reply to  Jordan

Have the RAF ever had Air Launched Harpoon – I’m not so sure!.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
2 years ago
Reply to  Goldilocks

There is an agreement with US to share the P8 weapons stockpile. The issue with Stingray is that it that we would be going down the path of creating a unique part of the P8 software to launch and control it and then unique hardware to carry it as well as a unique parachute system to deploy it. Which will all be v expensive and continue to be v expensive into the future. It is also a barrier to upgrade blocks being implemented as if you implement the upgrade the chances are you have to implement a unique UK recode… Read more »

maurice10
maurice10
2 years ago

One could say the MOD hasn’t heard about Scottish Independents? The expanding commitment across Scotland seems to indicate a deliberate policy of deflection against independence. If SNP gets their way, the MOD will either have to pay to stay or pull out completely? The levels of investment will influence the vote especially in the key investment regions, but it could be an expensive withdrawal.

Crabfat
Crabfat
2 years ago
Reply to  maurice10

My thoughts, exactly, on a previous post…

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
2 years ago
Reply to  Crabfat

Scotland is not going independent anytime soon. And it’s in Scotland’s interest to work with the mod and interoperability would be key. U have got to think what the goal of independence is. It is mainly to get more control to Edinburgh. The snp are in the lucky position of being able to blame anything that goes wrong on London and when something goes right take credit for it Scottish people know this and the fact the last vote was near 50% shows that any independence is to be very closely linked to The rest of the uk in defence,… Read more »

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Just to add what does make Scottish people annoyed is the assumption and the constant negativity from south of the border. Why would Scotland be so incapable of managing things when they have 100’s of years of running governments as part of the uk, The uk government needs to keep showing why the union is important and give powers to Edinburgh that are not that important to the uk. It should be done for Wales etc as well, give responsibility to the Scottish, welsh parliaments and then they can show if they can do it better or worse Just now… Read more »

Chris
Chris
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

I think much of the negativity coming from south of the border is driven directly of the negativity and vitriol directed at England by the SNP. The SNP take credit for everything and the blame for nothing. If anything negative happens in Scotland they blame the Westminster boogyman. The Scottish Government already has control of healthcare, education, justice, transport, the environment, policing, rural affairs,housing, income tax (ability to vary +/- 3% in either direction), Scottish local and national elections, some elements of social security and the Crown estate of Scotland. Through the Barnet formula Scotland gets £2000 per person per… Read more »

Julian1
Julian1
2 years ago
Reply to  Chris

You’ve just listed domestic matters. What about fp, trade policy, eu…..I’m not a supporter of indyref but just saying

William Stephen
William Stephen
2 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Ah daily mail facts again, this is one reason why a growing number of us Scots want independence. It is a fact that in the UK the NHS in scotland is doing much better, with perhaps the exception of Wales. The continued attacks to withdraw powers from Edinbrugh, as well as challenges to incorporating into Scottish law the rights of children. Yes any vote may be tight, however the continued refussal to “ALLOW” a referendum highlights to many a case for independence. This is sen as arrogance ans misrule, Us scots have elected independence representatives into both parliaments. Why do… Read more »

maurice10
maurice10
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

The UK is the English voice in all but name. Pulling the Union apart is likely, I just hope we stop and take a rational approach before shattering something irreplaceable.

Pete
Pete
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Many Western democracies operate some form of devolved state governments. Some of them quite hostile. What issues they control can vary greatly and can be very divisive. Take Australia for example. There is no unified approach to land transport. Rail gauges are different between key states and even matters of heavy goods vehicle standards, regulations and licensing requirements varies between the states. The covid crisis has accentuated differences with individual states frequently closing / controlling movements across state borders while the federal govt controls the international borders. Canada, Germany, Italy and even Spain with its 17 devolved autonimous communities are… Read more »

Crabfat
Crabfat
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Agree with you and Maurice too, MS. But, in giving the SNP govt loads of goodies, the UK govt also have to think about what the Welsh and NI gov’ts might also want. What’s sauce for the goose…? Got to tread a very delicate path.

But hey – less gov’t in Whitehall and more in the devolved administrations can’t be bad. Provided we retain the Union. That’s the main objective.

maurice10
maurice10
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

I do hope you are right MS, I’m as proud of warships built on the Clyde as I am with Scotlands finest whiskies, as I count myself as British first, and English second………….I know it’s old hat thinking.

Julian1
Julian1
2 years ago
Reply to  maurice10

I agree with you maurice10. Being “English” is for football only!

Airborne
Airborne
2 years ago
Reply to  Julian1

Not at all, being English is a proud heritage, and why should my heritage, be limited, in your view, to a football game?

Nic
Nic
2 years ago
Reply to  maurice10

I have come to the conclusion that no change will take place if Scotland became Independent.
If the MoD decided to close the bases they would have a lot to relocate.
The submarine base , The Army base and RAF base. The other factor is that if this happened it would have a major impact on local suppliers and employment in the locality of the bases.

maurice10
maurice10
2 years ago
Reply to  Nic

I still hold with the notion that the USA would be very unhappy with the UK’s nuclear deterrent being based in a foreign country? Currently, they don’t want to get involved, and rightly so, but Faslane could create some difficult conversations between the US and UK? Forget the ‘Independent Deterent’ Faslane could move south due to SNP policy and US concerns of a base situated in a country, that is openly hostile to it being in their realm.

Rob Young
Rob Young
2 years ago
Reply to  maurice10

I don’t think the USA is really an issue on this – after all, they have based a lot of their nuclear weapons in foreign countries – though that seems to causing concerns re Turkey! The ‘openly hostile’ bit is simple – the UK would move them out in that circmstance before they were told to get out!

maurice10
maurice10
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob Young

Sadly, the UK will do what it’s told on issues pertaining to our nuclear weapons. The theory they are independent is pure fiction. On the issue of US weapons in other countries has no bearing on this issue. The US expects us to be in sole charge of what are their missile systems and that includes where and how the UK base them. Even though we buy the missiles from the US, the protocols are very tight and go back to the Kennedy – Mc Millan agreement. I predict the Faslane issue could be the SNP’s biggest thorn in their… Read more »

yellowisthenewpurple
yellowisthenewpurple
2 years ago
Reply to  maurice10

I mean I’m pretty sure the US doesn’t really give a shit, sure the missiles might be US but the warheads themselves are sovereign and made in the the UK. Even if the US stopped supplying them we could have our own system up and running very quickly, I’m sure just about every defence contractor outside of the US would jump at that opportunity. And failing that we could just go to Russia and ask them for some in exchange for information. Though things would never get to that point.

maurice10
maurice10
2 years ago

I doubt your observation would hold water. The US does take nuclear weapons very seriously.

geoff
geoff
2 years ago
Reply to  maurice10

Hi Maurice.If anyone of reasonable intelligence really thinks about Scottish Independence, it is my opinion that most would conclude that it makes no sense. Scotland can have the best of both-a large degree of internal self government and the advantages that accrue in being part of a large well established political and economic Union-one of the oldest in the world in fact. Defence is one out of dozens of good reasons for what I have said- one can be part of a huge shared infrastructure with all its first world and modern shape giving the full range of capabilities or… Read more »

Andrew
Andrew
2 years ago
Reply to  maurice10

I’m sure they have heard of the independence movement, but I’m pretty sure that they are making decisions based on facts and economics…

What would you rather they do? Withdraw all future funding from Scotland and Northern Ireland and spend it in England? Thinking like that would surely doom the UK to breakup…….

maurice10
maurice10
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

Hence my comments about deflection. I can’t see what’s wrong with the current devolved governance? Maybe a change in Holyrood with a broader mix of cross-party consensus might bring about a solution acceptable to all?

James Fennell
James Fennell
2 years ago
Reply to  maurice10

Scotland will become independent if we fail to win it back to the Union. Anti-Scottish policies will make it happen faster. We should invest in Scotland to make up for and exceed EU regional funding and win back support for the UK. BTW we built a huge billion £ base and runway at Camp Bastion in Helmand and left it to the Afghans, so this is not unusual.

Last edited 2 years ago by James Fennell
The Artist Formerly Known As Los Pollos Chicken
The Artist Formerly Known As Los Pollos Chicken
2 years ago

C’mon lads you need to stop bloviating about referendums it’s tiresome 🥱 folks aren’t interested you need to expand your horizons…….. Football is on people’s minds not this poo poo You’ve got to hold and give But do it at the right time You can be slow or fast But you must get to the line They’ll always hit you and hurt you Defend and attack There’s only one way to beat them Get ’round the back Catch me if you can ‘Cause I’m the Scotland man And what you’re looking at Is the master plan We ain’t no hooligans… Read more »

John Clark
John Clark
2 years ago

That made me laugh Artist, I actually wandered how long this thread would take before it denigrated into the usual we hate the sasanachs SNP rant…..

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
2 years ago
Reply to  John Clark

Hopefully people have learned from the eu and Scottish referendums mean different things to different people. Giving people a yes or no question for something that has 1000’s of issues is not a great way of solving things.
The snp really seem to seem as some kind of devil cartel by some.
As someone who lives in Scotland I feel they have had a positive impact on Scotland and on most Scottish peoples lives. I voted for them as the rest were useless. I don’t currently support independence tho, this is a distinction that a lot don’t seem to realise

John Clark
John Clark
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

It’s interesting to see just how far Labour has fallen nationally Mr Monkey Spanker…

It’s once unassailable fortress of Scotland and Northern England have largely collapsed, they have retreated into the north west and their new Woke home in the South East.

They have even reached the point that holding on a ultra safe seat by the skin of their teeth is hailed as a great victory… A very sad nose dive for our second national party….

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

The other parties in Scotland have really let the snp be the only party. I don’t have the answers as to why they have fallen so far and what to do to fix it. Even the tories saw the chance to hoover up the middle ground and apart from being a little bit mean to the struggling in society they haven’t been that bad. There I think lies the problem that people just don’t see some career politician as going to make a massive difference. All the snp have to do is moan about things the Uk government does wrong… Read more »

William Stephen
William Stephen
2 years ago
Reply to  John Clark

Ah yes see that right there, deflect argument/ discussion to hate of English by Scots. Sorry but this does unionist argument more damage than good, it only highlights desperation, most Scots do not hate English. I have some very good English friends, my desire for independence is not driven by hate of people I know and love. Better look for another soundbite, that one is pretty false and worn.

John Clark
John Clark
2 years ago

Morning William, no deflection here, you’re looking too hard. Simply stating that every thread that mentions Scotland hits the independence button within a few responses….

Why, because it’s relevant to question investment in infrastructure that one day might need to be pulled and reinvented south of the border.

If your wish is to live in a very highly taxed, low public spending country, stuck in severe austerity for decades to come, you go for it and good luck to you.

William Stephen
William Stephen
2 years ago
Reply to  John Clark

Hi John I have heard all htese scaremongering stories, continually pushed at the Scottish people. If all was as you seem to allude why would a public spirited benefactor as England so obviously is! Want to retain Scotland tthat is such a burden on English Tax payers. I tthink posts such as this end up with independence minded supporters trying to combat some fallicies putt about by ill informed (in general) individuals that actually do not live and work in Scotland. I can appreciate the rights of English people to assert there wishes via ballot box as they have done… Read more »

John Clark
John Clark
2 years ago

We’ve going down a well beaten path here William… The stark facts are that the projected Scottish GDP is well below where it needs to be to maintain public spending at its current levels. So, options: Severe austerity and tax rises across the board for many years to come as Scotland lives within its budget. Joining the EU ….. Becoming a small nation swallowed whole by a greedy Federal Empire … What independence??? EU membership would also mean cutting yourself off from Union in practical terms, as the rest of us go in a different direction. I would love to… Read more »

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
2 years ago
Reply to  John Clark

It’s the assumption that Scotland would somehow be incapable of managing without being in the uk that annoys people. If u say to a Scottish person you can’t do that because ur not good enough, guess what. They will go to great lengths to prove you wrong, even if it does hurt them a little. It’s human nature

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

I’m happy being in the uk as a Scottish person

John Clark
John Clark
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

It’s much the same everywhere in the Great Britain MS ….

Us Brits don’t care for being talked down too, Labour found that out to its cost as it support crumbled away nationally, first in Scotland (big warning sign they ignored) and finally a collapse of their vote in England too, mainly because of their London centric, anti BREXIT stance.

They are now a rather sad hollowed out shell of a party, that can’t decide what they stand for….

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
2 years ago
Reply to  John Clark

What fills there place will be interesting

John Clark
John Clark
2 years ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Indeed it will, there’s a power vacuum waiting for a new force, unfortunately no one has ever made a real impression to break our two party race.

As we all know, the party that takes and holds the centre ground, tends to get into power and stay for a good long while…

Labour don’t stand a chance for the foreseeable future, the hard Left are still there and will keep the party as eternal runners up, until they separate and go in different directions.

Rob Young
Rob Young
2 years ago

…And if anyone seriously wants the match replayed, let them start with the ‘hand of God’ game!

The Artist Formerly Known As Los Pollos Chicken
The Artist Formerly Known As Los Pollos Chicken
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob Young

Aye wee Diego RIP could have been a keeper but scare blu what a player. 👏🏻

this is a win win More jobs up here in paradise and the Silverware hopefully in London everyone’s a winner 😉

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

Quentin D63
Quentin D63
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob Young

Best of three games anyone?…

Rob Young
Rob Young
2 years ago
Reply to  Quentin D63

Or best of five if three doesn’t give the ‘right’ result 🙂

Quentin D63
Quentin D63
2 years ago

Lol… On a wee bit of a tangent… with all these high value assets at Lossiemouth, plus people and infrastructure, is this base well defended by Sabre or other shorad systems? It’s a lot of eggs in one basket!
And from upside down here in Sydney it was
great to see so many happy faces after the ⚽ win!

Paul.P
Paul.P
2 years ago

Oh, good, another chance to debate Scottish Independence….🙃
Nice photo and great relief to see the Nimrod ‘capability gap’ affair receding into the past.

Ian M
Ian M
2 years ago

I’m sure this article is about P8 maintenance and training with a side order of job creation……………am I missing something?

John Clark
John Clark
2 years ago
Reply to  Ian M

Hay, ‘Scotland’ is in the title, so the fun always starts one or two posts in…..

maurice10
maurice10
2 years ago
Reply to  Ian M

It’s the broader picture when it centres on Scotland. It’s fair to ask what happens to UK bases in Scotland, which are getting considerable investment. Just how sound is this policy in the face of possible independence?

David Steeper
David Steeper
2 years ago

Scotland will be independent. Sooner or later the SNP will win a referendum. It’s like the old IRA quote you have to be lucky all the time we only need to be lucky once. When that happens they’ll find out whatever the truth of the Barnett formula is and if they do join the EU they’ll be a net contributor to that too. On the plus side they won’t have to share a country with the English. It’s their bed.

JJ Smallpiece
JJ Smallpiece
2 years ago

Just need to order another 25 aircraft to have a credible ASW capability.

Quentin D63
Quentin D63
2 years ago
Reply to  JJ Smallpiece

Hi JJ, I would be happy with at least 3 more but is there the space at Lossiemouth?

JJ Smallpiece
JJ Smallpiece
2 years ago
Reply to  Quentin D63

Use St Mawgan again, reform 42Sqn

peter french
peter french
2 years ago
Reply to  JJ Smallpiece

Good point

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
2 years ago
Reply to  JJ Smallpiece

I am not sure you could ever justify 25 extra P-8’s. They can sanitise a very large area when working with other assets. Even allowing for the rule of 3, doubling the number would be as far as I would go and realistically another 3 – 5 would be superb. Otherwise all you create is a load of hangar queens as resources get pulled in other directions…… It is not like we are trying to do the whole job ourselves like in the 70’s and 80’s – other countries like Norway have decent P-8 fleets as well so the NATO… Read more »

Mervyn Drage
Mervyn Drage
2 years ago

Waste of resources

Tom Keane
Tom Keane
2 years ago

I have no knowledge in this field, hence the question. Is it always the best way forward, to give large contracts to large businesses, rather than have trained RAF maintenance crews working on aircraft?

A long term friend of my son’s works on Helicopters, involved in all aspects of maintenance, but he is not in the armed forces, and to the best of my knowledge, does not work for the MOD.