Jobs boost expected as E-7 Wedgetail RAF surveillance fleet to be based in Moray
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RAF Lossiemouth will be the new home of the UK’s fleet of E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft, bolstering Scotland’s key role in UK and NATO defence and security, Defence Minister Baroness Goldie announced today.
The E-7 Wedgetail will be co-located with the new Poseidon fleet, with the first four submarine-hunting aircraft already providing essential operational support in the area.
The decision is expected to support hundreds of jobs and provide a boost to the local economy.
The arrival of the Wedgetail in 2023 will also mark a return to RAF Lossiemouth for 8 Squadron – after an absence of 30 years.
The Wedgetail is capable of simultaneously tracking multiple airborne and maritime targets and is a step-change in capability from the current E-3D Sentry. The aircraft has previously been used by the Australian Air Force Royal on operations against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
Operating both fleets of Boeing 737-type aircraft from the same location will further harness RAF Lossiemouth’s strategic location and take advantage of the new £100 million state-of-the-art facility and the recent £75 million runway upgrade.
Minister of State for Defence, Baroness Goldie, said: "Scotland’s proximity to the waters and skies of the North Atlantic is of crucial importance to the UK’s and NATO’s security – this is why important military bases such as HMNB Clyde and RAF Lossiemouth are located here.
"Defence’s latest decision to base the E-7 Wedgetail at RAF Lossiemouth demonstrates our commitment to investing in Scotland, and will complement and expand upon the success of Typhoon fast jet and submarine-hunting Poseidon operations."
RAF Lossiemouth is already home to half of the UK’s operational Typhoon fast jet fleet, which conduct Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) to protect the UK’s airspace, and complete NATO air policing duties on behalf of our allies.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said: "This is fantastic news and another clear sign of the UK Government’s commitment to the armed forces here in Moray and Scotland more widely.
"Moray is already home to the UK’s entire submarine-hunting Poseidon fleet as well as half of our operational Typhoon fast jet fleet.
"The addition of the Wedgetail fleet not only improves the UK’s security and defence capability but it will also mean hundreds more service personnel stationed here – which in turn means a significant boost to the local economy.
"Our military bases at Lossiemouth and Kinloss are vital to this area and I am delighted to see this Conservative government continuing to invest in Moray."
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said: "This welcome investment is a vote of confidence in RAF Lossiemouth, which is now Scotland’s only operational base, and demonstrates the region’s strategic importance to the country’s defences.
"We have come a long way since the battle to save the base. In fact, it’s been an astonishing turnaround from the threat of closure to the investment in the Typhoons and Poseidon fleet and now this announcement."
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said the move was an immensely significant announcement for the Moray economy which will create many more highly-skilled and well-paid jobs both directly and in the local supply chain.
He added: "It confirms RAF Lossiemouth’s status as one of the UK’s most important defence establishments, firmly securing its future, and promising continuing investment for many decades to come.
"Coming on top of the recent decision by the UK Government to accelerate the roll-out of the Moray Growth Deal, it is a real vote of confidence in the area and will generate many more opportunities for our young people to pursue careers without having to move away from the area."
Moray Council leader Councillor Graham Leadbitter said the new squadron would bring a vote of confidence in the area.
Cllr Leadbitter said: "The Ministry of Defence siting another squadron here in Lossiemouth only serves to strengthen and deepen the enduring relationship the RAF has with Moray.
"This decision is also a further display of confidence in the area and as we see opportunities flourish, alongside the Moray Growth Deal for example, we have a positive period of development ahead of us.
"With a military presence in Lossiemouth since 1939, we’re used to welcoming Armed Forces personnel to the area.
"We look forward to working with our partners to ensure as smooth a transition as possible for those moving to this fantastic part of the north-east coast."
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: "The UK Government has invested £470 million in RAF Lossiemouth over the past two years, including a new £100 million strategic facility, housing the UK’s new fleet of nine submarine-hunting Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, which has been built by Elgin-based Robertson.
"Indeed this firm is also building the new shipbuilding hall for the Type 31 Frigate programme at Rosyth, in Fife, demonstrating just one of the many ways that UK Defence benefits Scottish business.
"The arrival of the Wedgetail capability in Scotland will provide clear additional security and economic benefits to Scotland."
