Tornados could be grounded says MoD leaked report

STV

The Moray-based RAF Tornado fleet could be grounded after a leaked Ministry of Defence report revealed it could save up £7.5bn.

The leaked documents, produced for the ongoing defence spending review, were published in the Times newspaper on Friday.

It is understood that scrapping the Tornado GR4s, many of which are based at RAF Lossiemouth, would save “billions more” than grounding the Harrier fleet.

The MoD has refused to comment on the report.

There has been increased speculation that one of the air bases at Kinloss or Lossiemouth could be shut as part of the Strategic Defence Spending Review.

SNP Defence spokesperson and Moray MP Angus Robertson said the closure threat would be fought tooth and nail.

Mr Robertson said: “It is absurd and insulting that the future of Tornado is being debated while its squadrons are providing vital air support in Afghanistan, and at a time when Trident is being treated as some sacred cow.

“Grounding Tornado would seriously diminish operational capabilities, at a time when our forces already feel overstretched and under resourced, not to mention the damage it would do to the rural Moray economy.

“Nobody doubts that difficult decisions have to be made, but it would totally disgraceful if the axe were to fall on forces who are on operations. If it’s all about cost then Trident must come into the equation.

It has been confirmed that Scottish Secretary Michael Moore is to travel to Moray to meet with concerned community leaders.

It is estimated the bases support around 7000 local jobs and generate £76m for the economy every year.

Earlier in the year around 100 skilled jobs were lost from RAF Kinloss after the Nimrod MR2 aircraft were withdrawn 12 months early as part of spending cuts.

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