Fife MP raises concerns over future of Leuchars

Stephen Gethins has written to the MOD following complaints from constituents about their future following rumours it was to close.

He had asked for clarification that the diversionary airfiled would remain as such past March 2021, and, whether the RAF had any plans to close that vital service.

The RAF secretariat responded aying: “Leuchars acts as a Diversionary Airfield for Typhoon aircraft based at RAF Lossiemouth and you can be reassured that there are no plans to relocate or replace those.

“Equally, there is currently no intent to relocate the Fast Jet Diversion capability and consequently no decision on the long term future of Leuchars Airfield has been taken.”

Stephen commented:The letter from the Air Defence secretariat does nothing to allay local fears, particularly when they say no decision has been made on Leuchar’s future. It’s role as a diversionary airfield for Typhoons based at Lossiemouth is crucial to our defence capability.

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“There are also many local jobs dependent on the airfield including those in the Defence Fire and Rescue Service and air traffic control.

“The UK government has said Leuchars Station will become the main Army base in Scotland but we still await details . In the meantime, there is a concern that the MoD are giving with one hand and taking with another and that’s nowhere near good enough.”