WHATEVER type of aircraft is finally chosen to replace the current
squadrons of Nimrods in their anti-submarine and marine patrols, they
will be based at RAF Kinloss, Defence Procurement Minister Roger Freeman
said yesterday.
Mr Freeman visited the Moray Firth base where 2400 men and women still
live and work around the 24 Nimrods which operate from Kinloss and the
remaining four held in reserve.
He was there to mark the official launch of the Government's
invitation to tender for the #1000m contract to replace the aircraft
which first went into service 25 years ago. The new generation of planes
should be ready in eight years' time.
Mr Freeman said the Ministry of Defence was inviting tenders from four
main companies.
''I would expect to receive the tenders back in the MoD in the middle
of the summer and I hope that Ministers would be in a position to make a
judgment some time in 1996, possibly my mid-1996, of the final
decision.''
He added: ''It is not just the familiar Nimrod airframe, but also the
equipment that goes inside it that is of crucial importance, because we
need to make sure we have the most capable equipment for the RAF,'' he
added.
Mr Freeman said the decision to invite tenders for a replacement was a
vote of confidence in the RAF and the work its Nimrod crews did.
He was happy to give an assurance that Kinloss would be home to the
next generation of maritime patrol aircraft.
''Politicians can always give categoric assurances, because by the
time they can come into service I won't be the Minister for Defence
Procurement.
''But, seriously, as you know as a result for Options for Change, St
Mawgan in Cornwall became only an airfield used for refuelling, for
landing and for various support activities -- but the fleet is here.
''Four squadrons are here, so I would envisage Kinloss retaining its
role now and in the future,'' he said.
The Minister also confirmed, as The Herald reported yesterday, that
the MoD expected British Aerospace to submit a tender to refurbish the
Nimrod fleet.
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