Defence facts

It is deeply dispiriting to note the continual scaremongering over Scotland’s defence industry and that somehow post- independence, the Ministry of Defence would not continue to purchase from Scotland.

The UK already procures from overseas and it is nonsensical that it would continue to procure from the likes of Korea, Norway and many EU countries, but not an independent Scotland. The UK already spends 26 per cent of its budget in collaboration with other countries and, of that, more than 90 per cent is with European countries.

The simple fact is that the UK shipbuilding industry is already in sharp decline, and it is estimated that thousands of jobs will be lost under current UK plans. It is not independence, but Scotland remaining within the UK that threatens the defence industry, especially shipbuilding jobs.

Alex Orr

Leamington Terrace

Edinburgh