The future role of RAF Kinloss

[Batgirl]

The Ministry of Defence today (12 October) outlined the options being considered as part of a study into the basing of the new RAF Nimrod MRA4 fleet, which comes into service in 2009, replacing the Nimrod MR2. The two locations being considered are RAF Kinloss in Moray (where the Nimrod MR2 is currently based) and RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.

The Nimrod study is just one element of the Defence Airfield Review (DAR), an extensive review of all 50 RAF airfields in the UK, which was announced by the Secretary of State for Defence on 21 July 2004.

The aim of the review is to identify the future requirements of the RAF, and ensure it has the most efficient operations to deliver its capability. Part of this will involve reducing the number of RAF airfields because an initial study identified that there are more than is required.

As part of the DAR, the MoD is also considering where to base the new Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) which will replace the Harrier towards the middle of the next decade. Two air stations will probably be used and the possible options are: RAF Kinloss (Moray), RAF Lossiemouth (Moray), RAF Marham (Norfolk), RNAS Yeovilton (Somerset), RAF St Mawgan (Cornwall), RAF Cottesmore (Rutland), and RAF Wittering (Cambridgeshire).

As part of the Nimrod basing study the MoD will need to assess the costs and wider implications of basing the Nimrod fleet at either Kinloss or Waddington. This will include looking at other units based at Kinloss, such as the aeronautical control centre (search and rescue), mountain rescue team and air cadet volunteer gliding school.

But the MoD stressed that a decision has not been taken and no-one should assume that RAF Kinloss will close.

The Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, today reassured people at RAF Kinloss and the local community: "I can't stress enough to people in the Moray area that they should not read too much into this study, it does not mean that RAF Kinloss will close. This is simply part of a larger review into the RAF, which is again part of a bigger picture to restructure and modernise our Armed Forces to ensure we have the best people, equipment and capabilities to meet modern-day defence challenges.

"The study will be undertaken in a completely open way, it is not secretive and we will consult with local authorities, local communities and the Scottish Executive particularly on environmental and economic issues."

RAF News