Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has accused the UK Government of "backtracking spectacularly" over the future of Scotland-based soldiers.

Ms Sturgeon has written to Defence Secretary Philip Hammond accusing him of again letting Scotland down, reneging on pledges made after RAF Kinloss and RAF Leuchars were closed.

The UK Government is expected to announce a £60m upgrade to accommodation at the Leuchars base, along with a "modest" increase in the number of soldiers based in Scotland.

However, in 2011 the UK Government said up to 7000 personnel returning from Germany would be based in Scotland, with a new barracks and training area built.

Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox made the 2011 announcement to offset the closure of the RAF bases, but the SNP believes Mr Hammond will break the pledge when the UK basing plan is unveiled this week.

The Deputy First Minister said: "From the weekend's reports the UK Government appears to have backtracked spectacularly on its commitments to Scotland.

"Scotland has already been disproportionately affected by the defence cuts, and despite suggestions that there would be an increase of between 5000 and 7500 in the number of Army personnel based here, we now hear those commitments will not be met and that any increase may be limited to only a few hundred army personnel.

"That will do little to halt the long-term and disproportionate decline in the overall numbers of military personnel in Scotland."

In her letter, Ms Sturgeon said the uncertainty is adding to anxiety for service personnel and their families.

She wrote: "I - want to take this opportunity to urge you once again to reverse the long-term and disproportionate decline in the military footprint that Scotland has seen over the last decade and, crucially, to meet the commitments that were made by the UK Government in July 2011."

The MoD insisted any decision would be made fairly.

A spokesman said: "The defence of our country is planned, organised and managed on a UK basis to meet the needs of the UK as a whole. Scotland benefits greatly from being part of this and from every pound invested in the collective security the UK provides, not just what is invested in Scotland directly.

"It has been speculated that the numbers of soldiers in Scotland is going to decrease. However the Defence Secretary is also due to set out that this speculation is unfounded. Scotland will actually get a modest increase in its Army headcount, of nearly 20%, with some units returning from Germany to the improved Leuchars base."

A source claimed the SNP proposed a defence budget one-fourteenth of the current UK spend "for a country with a population and tax base of one-twelfth the size."

Westminster SNP leader Angus Robertson said: "This is a monumental betrayal of Scotland's defence personnel, their families, and the people of Scotland.

"Less than two years ago promises were made in the Westminster Parliament that up to 7000 personnel would return to Scotland, there would be new barracks for them - Yet the MoD now appear to be briefing that only around 600 additional troops will be based in Scotland."