The SNP has attacked Ministry of Defence “confusion” following reports that the Royal Navy is to ditch half of the carrier strike aircraft planned – all of which would have been based in Moray.
SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson criticised the news that one of the two aircraft carriers being built on the Clyde will be turned into a super amphibious commando ship instead. The move could shave £600million from future costs.
According to reports, only one aircraft carrier would proceed as planned, requiring fewer Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft. The other will be built, but used as a super commando assault ship instead.
The only aircraft it would be equipped with would be assault helicopters.
The original plan was for Britain to buy more of the joint strike fight- ers being developed in partnership with the United States. Development costs are believed to be about £4billion.
All the planes would have been based at Lossiemouth.
MoD planners are reported to now favour the idea that Britain can make do with one carrier by co-operating with France. This will ensure both nations have one aircraft carrier ready to put to sea while the other is in dock.
Securing French agreement to the arrangement may raise further doubts over the joint strike fighters. The French may prefer the Royal Navy to buy carrier planes manufactured in France instead.
The joint strike fighters are intended to replace squadrons of Tornados currently at Lossiemouth when the Tornados are phased out over the next decade.
Mr Robertson, MP for Moray, said Labour had said the contracts for two aircraft carriers were signed and sealed.
“Now we have confusion and questions over whether both carriers will be completed as promised.”
He said this followed a “devastating” report on defence procurement, which warned a third to a half of equipment that service chiefs want is not affordable.
The SNP says the MoD is already spending £4.3billion less than its proportionate share of defence expenditure in Scotland.
Mr Robertson added: “The uncertainty over the second carrier underlines the chaos which is consuming Gordon Brown’s government.”
An MoD spokeswoman said: “Challenging financial circumstances mean some difficult decisions will have to be taken to prioritise our forces’ efforts in Afghanistan.” But she said Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth remained “100% committed to the carriers”.