The Royal Air Force in Scotland
The Royal Air Force in Scotland protects our seas and skies 24/7 with front-line Typhoon fast jet squadrons, submarine-hunting P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft and RAF Regiment personnel.
The Royal Air Force in Scotland
RAF Lossiemouth in Moray is the main operational base for the Royal Air Force in Scotland, providing continuous defence of UK airspace and maritime domains.
Four front-line Typhoon squadrons maintain Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) North, with aircraft and crews on 24/7 high alert to intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace. These squadrons also support NATO operations worldwide, including counter-Daesh operations in the Middle East and NATO Air Policing in the Baltic.
RAF Lossiemouth hosts the UK’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which are crucial for detecting and tracking submarines in the North Atlantic. Five of the planned nine aircraft are already operational, including “The Pride of Moray”, “The City of Elgin”, “Terence Bulloch”, “Spirit of Reykjavík”, and “Fulmar”. These aircraft play a vital role in the UK’s Atlantic Bastion strategy, working alongside the Royal Navy to secure critical underwater infrastructure.
The base is also home to the RAF’s E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft. These advanced aircraft provide round-the-clock airborne surveillance, significantly enhancing the UK’s ability to track multiple airborne and maritime targets simultaneously and direct assets such as fighter jets and warships.
The UK Government has invested over £470 million in RAF Lossiemouth, including a £132 million operational support facility for the maritime patrol fleet and a £75 million runway upgrade.
Defence partners like Boeing UK and BAE Systems maintain a significant presence on site, supporting the Typhoon fleet and Poseidon operations.
The base is also home to Number 5 Force Protection Wing, which includes Number 51 Squadron RAF Regiment specialising in protecting aircraft, airfields and personnel, and Number 4 RAF Police Squadron.
Four RAF Reserve squadrons are based in Scotland: 612 Squadron at Leuchars Station, 2622 (Highland) Squadron, 602 Squadron in Glasgow and 603 Squadron in Edinburgh.
More information
Find out more about defence and security in Scotland.