RAF Leuchars Commander on Base's Future

RAF Typhoons are set to arrive at Leuchars in 2010 The commander of one of the Royal Air Force's chief airbases has delivered a positive message on the site's future.

RAF Leuchars, Fife, Scotland, is set to remain in its current state for the next four decades, Air Commodore Clive Bairsto said.

He added that the coming ten years will see as much as 100 million pounds invested into the airbase.

RAF Tornado Squadrons

Leuchars currently houses a pair of RAF Tornado F-3 squadrons - 43 and 111 (known as 'Treble-One'). Both of these squadrons are given the task of carrying out Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) launches in the event of threats/ potential threats to UK airspace.

Eurofighter Typhoons

In two years time, the first Eurofighter Typhoons are scheduled to arrive there - preparations for which (including lengthening of the runway) have begun and remain ongoing.

The Typhoon has been in Royal Air Force service since 2003.

In July, the RAF announced that the type was now operationally capable of carrying out air-to-ground attack missions, in addition to its role as an air-to-air combat platform.

RAF Jobs Secured

Around 1,500 positions of military employment at RAF Leuchars are set to be secured as a result of Air Commodore Bairsto's assertion, along with a number of civilian ones.

"This is very good news for north-east Fife, and for RAF Leuchars," he stated.

"Leuchars will continue to operate as a fighter base for the next four decades up to 2050."

Current scheduling sees the Tornado's RAF retirement take place in March 2011 - around six months after the arrival of the first Typhoon.

Source - Armed Forces International's Aviation Expert

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