The UK Government is expected to unveil plans today to bring a new squadron of Typhoon jets at RAF Lossiemouth.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has earmarked the Moray airbase as its “preferred location” for one of two new fleets of fighter jets it aims to create over the next few years.
It is expected that Defence Secretary Michael Fallon will make the announcement today when he delivers a speech at the Scottish Conservative Conference in Glasgow.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that RAF chiefs have also backed plans to locate the new squadron at the airfield.
And Moray MP Angus Robertson last night hailed the strategic benefits of basing the jets in the region.
However, before the plans are finalised, the station will have to be assessed to determine whether it can accommodate the squadron.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is expected to survey the site over the coming months, to confirm it has sufficient accommodation for an influx of new aircraft.
Mr Robertson said the MoD picking RAF Lossiemouth as its preferred basing option for more Typhoons was “good news for Moray”.
And he outlined the numerous advantages housing the jets at the base would bring the UK’s defence system.
Mr Robertson said: “Moray has fought tooth and nail to retain a strong military presence at our local bases.
“Part of that was making the positive case for the high level of skills and professionalism that both service and civilian personnel at Lossiemouth demonstrate on a daily basis.
“That, combined with Lossiemouth being an ideal geographic location for both training and reaction roles and the exceptional weather conditions that prevail in Moray, are all strong arguments for the use of the base for new aircraft.
“The strategic importance with which RAF Lossiemouth is viewed also demonstrates just what a folly closing the base would have been.”
Since becoming a Quick Reaction Alert site in 2014, Typhoon jets stationed in Moray have been scrambled to force threats away from the UK’s airspace at a moment’s notice.
In January, a £23million project aimed at improving the facilities which house the fleet reached completion.