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'Pride of Moray' recognised at Holyrood


By Lorna Thompson

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THE RAF’s decision to name the first of its P-8 Poseidon aircraft "Pride of Moray" has been highlighted in a motion to the Scottish Parliament.

RAF Lossiemouth will be home to nine of the submarine-hunting spy aircraft from 2020 – an investment of £400 million in the base.

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said the naming was recognition of the importance and historical links of the RAF to the Moray area.

The Pride of Moray is the first P-8 Poseidon to be completed by Boeing at its Renton site in Seattle, in the US. The aircraft soared across the skies in its 90-minute first flight this week.

Mr Halcro Johnston said: "People in Moray take great pride in the county’s long-standing association with the RAF.

"That the first of the new aircraft operating out of Lossiemouth will be named 'Pride of Moray' reflects that and I’m pleased to be able to mark it with a motion to the Scottish Parliament.

"The presence of the P-8s represents a huge financial investment in Moray, bringing with it major benefits for local suppliers and the wider local economy.

The Poseidon P8 facility being built at RAF Lossiemouth.
The Poseidon P8 facility being built at RAF Lossiemouth.

"And there are other benefits too. I know NHS Grampian is hoping to recruit staff for Dr Gray’s and other local facilities from members of the families of those coming to Moray to service the fleet of aircraft.

"The investment is a great boost for Moray and, along with the deputy prime minister’s visit last week to announce the Moray Growth Deal, is evidence of the UK Government’s ambition for Moray and willingness to invest in the north of Scotland."

Mr Halcro Johnston highlighted that the investment will generate jobs – including 500 on the base alone.

The aircraft is designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and is expected to arrive in the UK next spring. The plane can travel at 564mph with a range of 1,200 nautical miles.

A £132 million facility is being built by Boeing and Robertson at RAF Lossiemouth to house the P-8s. While the runway resurfacing at RAF Lossiemouth is ongoing, the first UK P-8A will briefly operate out of Kinloss. Th aircraft are expected to be fully operational in 2022.


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