The Royal Air Force’s newest Typhoon squadron is getting new facilities at RAF Lossiemouth after the UK Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) announced a £20-million (approx. US$ 25m) investment.
DIO has contracted Galliford Try for work on the facilities which will house Number IX (Bomber) Squadron, enabling them to deliver in their role as a Typhoon aggressor squadron.
Their re-role from Tornado to Typhoon, and move from RAF Marham to RAF Lossiemouth, was announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015.
The work will start later this summer and is expected to take around two years. It will involve the refurbishment of an existing hangar and construction of new technical and storage facilities. It forms part of a wider redevelopment of RAF Lossiemouth which also includes a refurbished runway, facilities for the RAF’s fleet of Poseidon MRA Mk. 1 sub-hunters, and new and improved accommodation.
RAF Lossiemouth is now home to four squadrons of Typhoons which hold the quick reaction alert role. RAF Lossiemouth covers the north of the UK including Scotland, while RAF Coningsby covers the south.
Once fully established in their new facilities, IX(B) Squadron will be the RAF’s dedicated fourth-generation aggressors. This involves simulating the tactics, threats, and procedures of adversaries to create the best training environment for Royal Air Force pilots. While providing this essential training, the squadron will also be involved in quick reaction alert duties alongside 1(F) Squadron, II(AC) Squadron, and 6 Squadron.
“This is great news for the station, for Moray, and for the RAF,” group captain Chris Layden, station commander RAF Lossiemouth, said. “Defence’s sustained investment in RAF Lossiemouth continues to transform us into a next-generation fighter and maritime patrol base, ready to secure the UK’s skies and seas for many years to come.”
