UK Confirms 9 Boeing P-8's to be purchased

[theplanespotter]

The way I see it, I think that Waddington is the most likely candidate however it isn't in the most strategic location (too South) and it will be awfully crowded.

MPA assets are needed in more places than Scotland

Although it is very true that they are needed in other places than Scotland, I was brushing over the fact that Scotland is closer to the region of the North sea that we patrol (or at least closer to a greater area of it). When I said that the south isn't too strategic for it, I stand by that because the Dutch?, Germans, and French etc patrol that area so we don't have to cover so much of that area

[EGDR]

A lot of area in the south west to cover though. There's a reason Nimrods were based at St Mawgan for a long time

[Mike]

Everything is still in place at Kinloss, there is no reason why they wouldn't use it.

[theplanespotter]

A lot of area in the south west to cover though. There's a reason Nimrods were based at St Mawgan for a long time

There's also a reason why St Mawgen lost the Nimrod and Kinloss kept them

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Everything is still in place at Kinloss, there is no reason why they wouldn't use it.

Mmm, not sure how quickly it could open as a fully active airfield again...

[EGDR]

A lot of area in the south west to cover though. There's a reason Nimrods were based at St Mawgan for a long time

There's also a reason why St Mawgen lost the Nimrod and Kinloss kept them

And consequently were often required to fly southwards anyway to provide top cover for SAR and other operations?

I'm not disagreeing with MPAs being based in Scotland, but a base having a centralized location in the country (Waddington is better in this aspect) is not a disadvantage. If it is seen as operationally required to have them based in Scotland for whatever reason, I'd imagine having a main base somewhere in the centre of the country with a detachment of aircraft in Scotland would be a good solution.

[Thunder]

Everything is still in place at Kinloss, there is no reason why they wouldn't use it.

Mmm, not sure how quickly it could open as a fully active airfield again...

Define fully active? The runway is fully servicable and is in daily use at the moment, fuel sites and explosive storage are maintained and licenced, all messing /accomadition is in place, hangarage in place. The only thing needing done would be to build the specific infrastructure for the P8, which would have to be done where ever they may be based, move RAF personnel back in and lower the RE flag and raise the RAF Ensign once again. If an order was to be placed tomorrow then I doubt you would see the first airframe within 2 years so plenty of time to dust the cobwebs off.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Everything is still in place at Kinloss, there is no reason why they wouldn't use it.

Mmm, not sure how quickly it could open as a fully active airfield again...

Define fully active? The runway is fully servicable and is in daily use at the moment, fuel sites and explosive storage are maintained and licenced, all messing /accomadition is in place, hangarage in place. The only thing needing done would be to build the specific infrastructure for the P8, which would have to be done where ever they may be based, move RAF personnel back in and lower the RE flag and raise the RAF Ensign once again. If an order was to be placed tomorrow then I doubt you would see the first airframe within 2 years so plenty of time to dust the cobwebs off.

Yeah, but any infrastructure changes, however quick you want them to be can take a very long time these days... Just look at Waddington. At least there'd be a minor hope of sharing currently used infra there - once it has a runway again.

[nickowen]

When the Army moved into Kinloss, I believe they were under strict instructions not to break anything...

[Thunder]

Not sure where you're coming from Colin. What infrastructure at Waddington are you referring to?

[Contrail1958]

If it's taking so long at Waddington to do anything why base anything in the future there ??

[Vulcanone]

Well a simple glance at the history of Waddington shows it took 2 years from 1955 to 57 to get the place ready for operating Vulcans.

So presumably reading between the lines and that suggests more than what they have now.

All still pie in the sky till Mr Fallon comes up with look I'm buying some shiny new toys

T

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Not sure where you're coming from Colin. What infrastructure at Waddington are you referring to?

The year long project to upgrade the runway... It's been pretty quick by current standards, and only appears to have about a 8 month overrun.

For what will probably only be a small fleet there seems little point in deactivating an entire base, with the associated personnel issues (do manning want it back?), infra etc required, particularly with the push to MOBs. Have a Sqn HQ at Waddo and deploy jets to a counter specific threats - just as has been done with foreign assets during the "capability gap".

[ColintheCaterpillar]

When the Army moved into Kinloss, I believe they were under strict instructions not to break anything...

Using the history of both bases, that probably referred to the runway. That seems the first thing they break up or turn into a car park.

[Davef68]

There had already been thoughts about basing the Nimrod MRA4 at Waddington rather than Kinloss before MR2 was even retired.

[Andy_99]

Waddington is the obvious choice.

I get the feeling that the new govt. are thinking more of the longer term where Scotland may not be part of the union.
Why spend money on basing new assets North of the border when before much longer it won't be British soil.

Besides as stated Waddo is the Centre of the country & equidistant ish for all of the areas of ocean we'd be responsible for.

[Contrail1958]

Waddington is the obvious choice.

I get the feeling that the new govt. are thinking more of the longer term where Scotland may not be part of the union.
Why spend money on basing new assets North of the border when before much longer it won't be British soil.

Besides as stated Waddo is the Centre of the country & equidistant ish for all of the areas of ocean we'd be responsible for.

The new govt is the same as the last one, and if we're talking centre of the country that would be with-in the M25.

[ythanpythan]

And here we go again, for those just joining the thread here's a brief overview of the arguments.

Aircraft Type

• 1) We should have the P8

• 2) We should have the P1

• 3) We should have never scrapped the MRA4, I hate the Government etc etc

• 4) Why can't the F35 do it, disgrace, farce, etc

• 5) Someone said Vulcan, I love/hate (delete as appropriate) the Vulcan

Base

• 1) Waddington because (insert iffy reason) but actually because it's closer to me

• 2) Kinloss because (insert iffy reason) but actually because it's closer to me

• 3) St Mawgan because Nimrods used to be there, but actually because I have a holiday cottage there

[onemac]

Why spend money on basing new assets North of the border when before much longer it won't be British soil.

Just to clarify IF (and it's a biggie) Scotland decide to separate from the rest of the country, everywhere south of the border won't be British soil either

Besides as stated Waddo is the Centre of the country & equidistant ish for all of the areas of ocean we'd be responsible for.

Well that's a big 'ISH'!

Skeggy - 43 miles (ish)
Newquay - 339 miles (ish)
Berwick - 219 miles (ish)
Brighton - 212 miles (ish)
Workington - 198 miles (ish)

Ian - thanks for the overview but you forgot the Faslane discussion! I'm sure Waddington is the obvious choice for the subs

Al

[POL]

Just to clarify IF (and it's a biggie) Scotland decide to separate from the rest of the country, everywhere south of the border won't be British soil either

Why, will Britain no longer exist if one of the three territories is no longer part of it?