A multibillion-pound bid to base maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) at RAF Lossiemouth will start this summer.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon used a visit to the United States to confirm that the UK Government intends to place the first order for the aircraft before the autumn.
The purchase of nine of the submarine-hunting planes was unveiled in the Strategic Defence and Security Review last year, but yesterday’s announcement marks the first concrete step to delivering the aircraft.
Scottish politicians have welcomed the announcement as a boost for Lossiemouth, which is also getting a squadron of Typhoon fighters, bringing an estimated 400 additional personnel.
Mr Fallon said: “This new fleet of MPA will help to protect our nuclear submarines and I intend to begin ordering them this summer.”
The UK is buying nine Boeing P-8A Poseidon MPA, to be based at RAF Lossiemouth, to improve protection of its Trident nuclear submarines, as well as boosting search and rescue capabilities.
When the UK Government scrapped a £4billion fleet of new Nimrod MPA’s – which would have based at RAF Kinloss – in 2010 the move was branded “perverse” by military chiefs.
The Scottish Conservatives’ new Highlands and Islands MSP, Douglas Ross, said: “I am delighted to hear the news that these aircraft will be based at RAF Lossiemouth.
“It is a clear commitment from the UK Government to add to the base and local people will be pleased to see this further investment and recognition of what we can do at RAF Lossiemouth.”
But SNP MP for Argyll and Bute Brendan O’Hara was more critical of the UK Government over the deal.
He said: “This is long overdue.
“The SNP has argued for years that the removal of maritime patrol capability was a ridiculous decision.”
The Poseidons can fly at speeds of up to 560mph and carry and launch torpedoes, depth charges, SLAM-ER missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons.
