Green MSP Mark Ruskell says he acknowledges the dialogue and consultation by the UK government has been pretty derisory.

Mr Ruskell says he does not really understand Westminster's logic about the way it is operating towards the Scottish government.

Image source, bbc

The Green MSP says people in Fife my be sad to see the Navy leave Rosyth, but there are opportunities for the site.

He says there are exciting opportunities with the closure of Forthside in Stirling.

The Green MSP says the Meadowforth Barracks is a brownfield site which ticks all of the boxes to create affordable housing.

He says there are opportunities to turn "barracks into homes and swords into plowshares".

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson says today the threats the country faces are fewer from states they are now from non-state actors.

The Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP says nuclear weapons have not deterred a single person in ISIS or North Korea.

He warns against the "dark hand of the UK Treasury".

The SNP MSP says the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was so close to the coast of Banff he could see men walking on its deck.

Maritime threats must be addressed and navy bases maintained he says.

Tory MSP Maurice Golden pays tribute to the men and women who serve across all branches of the military. 

"Freedom does not come free," he says.

Mr Golden says he is sad to see the closures but that the defence estate needs to be modernised. 

The Tory MSP says he wants to see British defence infrastructure investment continue in Scotland. 

He says direct employment at the Faslane base is currently 6,500.

Army units in Scotland are to undergo significant change under a package of reforms announced by the government in December.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said the changes "sustain" the Army's footprint in the devolved nations.

But Scottish government minister Keith Brown expressed concern about the "upheaval" faced by soldiers and their families.

The plan involves at least three battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Image source, MARK OWENS/ARMY HQ SCOTLAND

The 4th battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the 1st battalion of the Scots Guards will become part of a new mechanised "strike brigade".

The 1st battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots) which is currently based in Belfast, is to be one of a new type of specialised infantry battalion.

Sir Michael revealed the changes in a written statement to parliament.

Other moves in the plan include the 3rd battalion The Rifles relocating from Edinburgh to Catterick in 2021.

The 3rd battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland will leave Fort George in 2032 but remain in Scotland, although their new base has yet to be confirmed.

Image source, bbc

Pentlands MSP Gordon Macdonald says Redford Calvary Barracks and Redford Infantry Barracks, in his constituency, are set for closure.

The SNP MSP says the UK government are slashing around a fifth of the defence footprint in Scotland.

He says the UK government is willing to spend billions of pounds on weapons of mass destruction as it closes military bases.

Mr Stewart says Labour will be supporting the government motion and the party's amendment understands the importance of military bases in Scotland. 

The Labour MSP says the amendment calls on the UK government to halt closures until there is proper engagement on the plans. 

He says when military bases are scheduled to close, staff must be offered training and support.

"The loss of any military base is a blow to the local area," he says.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP David Stewart says armed forces personnel have a social covenant with our country at times of peace and at times of war.

Mr Stewart says he has tremendous admiration for the army and veterans.

He says Fort George is minutes from his home and is scheduled to be closed.

The Labour MSP says the original decision to close Fort George led to a storm of protest led by the actor Hugh Grant.

He says the base closure is huge blow to the defence footprint in Scotland and the Highlands.

Labour MSP David Stewart uses his amendment to highlight the crucial economic and social contribution of military bases in Scotland.

Mr Stewart calls on the UK government to halt all and any base closures until it has prepared and consulted on full economic assessment and employment diversification plans.

Here is the Labour amendment.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Mr Carlaw says the base at Leuchars will be expanded and a contract for a new aircraft has been given to the Lossiemouth base which will create 100 jobs.

The Tory MSP says none of this would be possible in the "nightmare" of an independent Scotland. 

He says it is critical for Britain to keep trident due to international uncertainty. 

Mr Carlaw says Scotland is better served by remaining British. 

"You whinge as a Scottish government while the UK government protects the nation," he says. 

Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw says the military state is financially unsustainable.

Mr Carlaw says some of the assets are too old.

The Tory MSP says everyone understands the concerns about communities around the eight bases.

He says the Scottish base reduction is less than that of the UK as a whole.

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford says the long term trend shows Scotland is facing a greater reduction in armed forces, but Mr Carlaw says he does not accept that.

Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw says the plans will ensure the UK's infrastructure is well equipped.

Mr Carlaw says Kinloss Barracks will not be closed despite the claims of SNP MP Angus Robertson. 

The Tory MSP says the reductions are not only necessary but are unavoidable to make sure the defence estate is weill equipped for the future.

He says the defence estate is too large and needs to be reduced.

Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw uses his amendment to say that he understands that the Ministry of Defence’s Estate Optimisation Strategy has the sensible aims of updating the defence estate.

Mr Carlaw says this strategy is more capability focused and better suited to the needs of modern armed forces.

The Tory MSP says the UK government should continue to engage fully with the Scottish government, local authorities and local communities on the review.

Image source, bbc

He says the defence estate in Scotland will still remain considerable.

Mr carlaw acknowledges that the UK government has made wider investment in defence in Scotland supporting thousands of jobs.

He says that an independent Scotland would have a very limited military, which would weaken the defence of the nation and damage its proud military traditions.

Here is the Tory amendment.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Mr Brown says there is still a chance of overturning "bad decisions".

"We must make our case and have our voices heard," he says.

The minister says the closure of Redford Barracks is of great concern and will impact on the surrounding community in Edinburgh.

Mr Brown says there are concerns about the closure of MoD Caledonia which sadly ends the presence of the Navy in Fife.

The economy secretary says elected representatives have been cut out of the loop by the MoD.