FEARS that the UK Government is preparing to abandon a commitment to station the world's most advanced fighters at RAF Lossiemouth "perfectly illustrates" why Scotland should make its own defence decisions, the SNP has claimed.
The Ministry of Defence has already said the Moray base was the preferred option for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, but reports yesterday suggested UK ministers were considering a U-turn in favour of RAF Marham in Norfolk.
It would be another blow to the air force presence in Scotland following the decision in the Strategic Security and Defence Review (SSDR) to close the bases at Leuchars, in Fife, and Kinloss in Moray.
Three squadrons of Eurofighter Typhoons, about 42 aircraft, will still be based at Lossiemouth after being transferred from Leuchars but there had been plans, first announced by the Labour Government in 2005, for the Joint Strike Fighters to be stationed there as well.
The SNP's Westminster leader and defence spokesman Angus Robertson said: "The UK Government continues to make damaging defence decisions for Scotland.
"Having closed two-thirds of Scotland's air bases they look set to U-turn on aircraft deployment.
"Amazingly, this would leave Scotland with only one aircraft type.
"Taxpayers in Scotland contribute £3 billion every year to the Ministry of Defence and nearly one-third is not spent here."
Mr Robertson said all Scotland's comparable independent northern European neighbours had these capabilities to provide for territorial defence, aid to the civil power and international commitments.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force operates more than 110 aircraft from seven air bases, the Royal Danish Air Force more than 111 aircraft from three air bases and the Royal Swedish Air Force more than 287 aircraft from seven air bases.
Mr Robertson said: "The situation in Scotland is utterly crazy and underlines why we should make defence decisions like other normal countries."
The change in attitude at Whitehall follows exchanges between First Minister Alex Salmond and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond over the effect Scottish independence would have on defence issues.
There has also been a campaign by local Conservative MPs in Norfolk to station the fighters are RAF Marham.
South West Norfok MP Elizabeth Truss said it was quite hopeful and claimed the decision would probably happen before the referendum.
Shadow Defence spokesman Jim Murphy said: "If these reports are true, this would be a body blow for Lossiemouth and Scottish jobs."
The MoD said an announcement is due later in the year on the most suitable base for the Joint Strike Fighter.
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