BRITAIN'S newest stealth fighter, Lightning II, is to be based, as widely expected, in Norfolk and not Lossiemouth, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
The SNP described the development as Scotland once again being "unfairly" treated by the UK Government on matters of defence.
It was also announced RAF Lossiemouth is to get new Typhoon interceptor aircraft in the summer of 2014, some six months later than had been expected.
Two Typhoon squadrons are to be transferred from RAF Leuchars in Fife, which from autumn 2014 will be used as an army base.
Originally, RAF Lossiemouth was the preferred base for the new jet, but a review of this decision was launched in 2011.
In July last year, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond made clear the way the Ministry of Defence was thinking when he described RAF Marham in East Anglia as "the most logical choice" for the new home to the most advanced jet in UK history.
"Basing the new Lightning II at RAF Marham makes strategic sense and best use of the resources available," declared Mr Hammond yesterday.
However, Angus Robertson, the Nationalists' leader at Westminster who represents Moray, which contains Lossiemouth, said: "That the MoD have decided to base their new Joint Strike Fighters at Marham... is just the latest blow to the beleaguered defence establishment in Scotland from the Westminster system."
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