The first of a fleet of new submarine-hunting spy planes destined for the north will arrive in the UK today.
Nine of the P-8 Poseidon aircraft, worth a combined £3 billion, will be based at RAF Lossiemouth to maintain a vigil over the North Atlantic.
Today the first of the planes, christened the Pride of Moray, will land at Kinloss.
It is expected to arrive between 1pm and 3pm.
It was handed over to the Ministry of Defence in October last year after completing a series of test flights.
The new planes sparked a £460 million investment in the infrastructure at RAF Lossiemouth to prepare the base for about 700 additional personnel.
And military top brass believe the jets will cement the station’s importance on the country’s front line of defence.
Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, chief of the air staff, said previously: “Poseidon is a game-changing maritime patrol aircraft able to detect, track and, if necessary, destroy the most advanced submarines in the world today.”
