First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has claimed that Fort George could be “run down” before its closure date in 2032.
The SNP leader issued the warning yesterday as she demanded answers over the future of the base in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May.
Veterans Minister Keith Brown had earlier reaffirmed his anger about the lack of consultation prior to Monday’s announcement that the Highland garrison will close in 15 years.
Ms Sturgeon’s letter states: “These closures are a stark illustration of the priorities of a UK Government that favours retention of nuclear weapons over investment in conventional military bases.”
She told Mrs May that Scotland’s defence footprint had been “hollowed out” by successive defence cuts and that the latest round was “brutal.”
The first minister claimed the Westminster government had shown “disregard for defence commitments” made in recent years.
Demanding data on the potential economic impact of closures, Ms Sturgeon said: “The effect on local jobs or services does not even appear to be a consideration in decision making.”
She added: “I am concerned that bases will be run down long before closure dates so we need to understand the true dates for drawdown and what investment will go into sites before closure.”
A Number 10 spokesman acknowledged receipt of the letter and said a response would follow.
Referencing the letter in the Scottish Parliament, Keith Brown told colleagues that previous UK Government reassurances of “stability and certainty” had “for the most part been disregarded.”
A UK Government spokesman said: “This review puts Scotland at the heart of our plans to create a flexible, modern fighting force. It’s about equipping our armed forces with the facilities they need.
“Hundreds of millions of pounds are being invested in our key bases at HMNB Clyde, RAF Lossiemouth and the Army’s command centre at Leuchars Station.”
He said the number of service personnel in Scotland would continue to rise and the 19% reduction in the defence footprint was “substantially less than the 30% reduction across the UK as a whole.”
He added: “Investment in our armed forces is only possible because of the rising UK defence budget – something the Scottish Government would lose by taking Scotland out of the UK.
“That’s the real threat facing Scotland and the armed forces at the moment.”
