The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, has underlined the strategic role of “Scotland’s military personnel and our strategic bases” in ensuring the nation’s security and contributing to the defence of NATO Allies, according to a written response.
Responding to a parliamentary question posed by Andrew Bowie, Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Mr Murray emphasised the significance of Scotland’s armed forces presence:
“Scotland hosts 17 regular Armed Forces sites, 7 Royal Navy operated sites and two key RAF bases, representing a significant portion of the UK’s defence estate.”
He went on to note that he engages regularly with the Ministry of Defence to discuss defence-related matters, highlighting “a close, positive relationship with the UK Armed Forces in Scotland.”
Recently, Mr Murray hosted “a defence industry roundtable, together with senior members of the Armed Forces, to discuss sector priorities and opportunities,” including economic development and employment within the region.
In reference to the Prime Minister’s Strategic Defence Review, Mr Murray stated that he had written to the Defence Secretary to stress Scotland’s “important and ongoing role in the UK’s defence capabilities, including the importance of our key military bases.”
Looking ahead, he affirmed that “the continued presence of the Armed Forces in Scotland will continue to be important to our overall security and defence.”
The United Kingdom’s strategic assets in Scotland include His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde—home to the Royal Navy’s submarine service—and RAF Lossiemouth, a key means to deliver of UK and NATO aerial surveillance and quick reaction alert tasks.
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Between its new polar satellite launch capability to being central for the defence of the North Atlantic is pretty clear how important Scotland is to the Union and the rest of the UK nations. It’s been like that for 400 years, pre Union Scotland was a small middle European power and England was a large middle European power. After 1707 they went on to form the most powerful country not just in Europe but in the world and arguably the most powerful political polity in the history on man.
Location location location
Agreed.
Pity they didn’t appreciate how strategic Scotland is when RAF Leuchars and Kinloss were closed and handed to the army. I believe both at least have thr runways, and in Leychars case, the HAS and other infrastructure intact.
Before WW2, Britain embarked on a massive program of Airfield building, There are huge quantities of old but easily rebuilt facilities all over the UK but what we really need is Aircraft and Crews. As an example Predannack which was left to rot for many decades was recently reactivated for drone development. Upper Heyford and Greenham would be two others easily brought back to life, we just need a government with the vision and care to give us some real teeth again.
I agree. I partially disagree on those two locations though?
On Pred, yes I read about that Drone UAV centre, a very good idea. Would have been nice to see an article on that.
I don’t think Upper Heyford and Greenham are good options given the amount of industry now on them?? Same goes for Bentwaters. All are industrial parks. Would it not be better to spend money on those still on MoD estate?
Looking at the wider MoD estate beyond just Scotland, we have, still in MoD hands:
Chivenor.
Woodbridge.
Cottesmore.
Leuchars, has HAS.
Kinloss.
Now Army or RM barracks, with runways still in occasional use like Chivenor or Woodbridge or kept in C&M, like Kinloss and Leuchars.
North Luffenham i believe is too far gone.
MoD Boscombe Down, has HAS.
Woodvale.
Mona.
Topcliffe.
All RLG, Topcliffe also an Army Barracks.
Abingdon and Dishforth. Both Army, Dishforth has a RLG, Abingdon not sure of runway status?
Honington. Still has considerable infrastructure and HAS after its Tornado days.
St Athan.
Wyton. Runway used for storage i think now it’s a DI site.
Coltishall is now a HM Prison.
Middle Wallop has grass runways.
Credenhill has a very short runway for a certain aircraft.
Wittering. Long runway, used by the UAS.
Odiham and Benson. Used by the RAF SHF, still with runways.
Colerne. Army Barracks due to close but would remain MoD due to the SGS.
Brawdy. Unsure, the runway looks a state?
Wattisham. Unsure on runways status, some parts of its 2 HAS sites are still usable.
Alconbury is I think in the same state as Heyford and Greenham.
Llandedr, the old DERA trials site.
West Freugh, Qinetiq, still used for exercises, as is Macrihanish.
Stornoway. Old Tornado F3 forward deployment site.
St Mawgan. Civilian but with HAS on the military occupied western side.
Probably others I miss. You’re right, we have plenty of dispersal options, it’s the staff to operate them and arrangements for munitions and fueling. Not sure if all are linked to what was the GPSS.
I enjoy discussing this subject.
Cheers.
Yep, a few more spring to mind! 🤪
Cosford and Shawbury. Both with usable runways.
And in that area of the country, Chetwynd has a grass runway and Ternhill is a RLG for Shawbury, but don’t think it has a runway now.
Linton on Ouse
Leeming
Church Fenton / East Leeds Airport
God yes, how could I miss Leeming!
We could do what other countries do and use combined civilian airports. Prestwick which is not truly viable on its own as a commercial airport springs to mind. Newquay is another one.
Building new runways in the UK costs billions.
You mean like Belfast International and London VIP Airport?
Yes at least the runways are still there, if the RAF expands then surely an extra base in Scotland will be required. Leuchers probably makes the most sense.
Saxavord got to be successful, now that Sutherland has been shelved.
Agree, better to have one spaceport that is well used though.