RAF Tornadoes in Norfolk spared but numbers may reduce
- Published
The Tornado aircraft is to be retained, thus securing the future of an RAF base in Norfolk, it has been revealed in the government's strategic defence review.
Four Tornado squadrons are based at RAF Marham near King's Lynn and it had been feared these would be axed.
The base, with 5,000 RAF staff, is the HQ and repair base for the planes. BAE Systems has 300 personnel there.
The RAF is to lose 5,000 staff nationally, so there are still concerns about jobs at the base.
Nick Daubney, leader of King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, said staff from the base made a considerable contribution to the local economy.
He said with RAF personnel, BAE workers, families and support units based in the area the loss of the base could have taken £160m out of the local economy.