£20 million is being invested in fit-for-purpose facilities to house Number IX (Bomber) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth's fourth front-line Typhoon Squadron.
IX(B) Squadron previously operated from RAF Marham with the Panavia Tornado until 2019, when they were re-roled to fly the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 at RAF Lossiemouth.
The role of IX(B) has changed significantly - they are now an Aggressor Squadron. This involves simulating the tactics, training and procedures of our adversaries to create the most realistic training environment for front-line Royal Air Force pilots.
Galliford Try have been awarded a contract worth £20-million for the work to create facilities that are fit for purpose, enabling the Squadron to deliver in their new role. 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.
IX(B) Squadron aren't the only unit to benefit from upgraded facilities. RAF Lossiemouth is undergoing considerable changes to make it fit for the future. This includes the resurfacing of both runways and operating surfaces, a new Strategic Facility that will house the RAF's Poseidon MRA Mk. 1 submarine hunters, future plans for new and improved accommodation, and much more.
Group Captain Chris Layden, Station Commander RAF Lossiemouth, said:
“This is great news for the Station, for Moray, and for the RAF. 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.”
RAF Lossiemouth is now home to four Squadrons of Typhoons whose primary mission is Quick Reaction Alert: Securing the Skies in and around the United Kingdom every minute of every day.
Aircraft stand ready to launch at a moment’s notice to intercept unidentified aircraft, or aircraft which may pose a threat to the United Kingdom. RAF Lossiemouth covers the north of the UK including Scotland, while RAF Coningsby covers the south.
The Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 is an extremely versatile, multi-role combat aircraft involved in operations around the world. Right now, Team Lossie's 6 Squadron are deployed to Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania on a NATO Baltic Air Policing mission. They have scrambled several times to intercept a range of aircraft including IL-20 'Coot' intelligence gathering aircraft, often escorted by Su-27 Flanker-B fast-jets. Alliance activity in the Baltic region deters this Russian activity.
