Scottish independence: MPs told ‘independent Scotland risks 9/11 attack’

POST-independence Scotland would be at risk from a 9/11-style terrorist attack because it would not be able to afford Typhoon or Tornado fighter jets, it was claimed after two leading defence experts gave evidence in the Commons yesterday.

Colonel Stuart Crawford and Professor Malcolm Chalmers told the defence select committee that an independent Scotland would be limited to cheaper Hawk aircraft.

The fighter jet, which is only used by a few countries for anything other than training, lacks a radar system, which means it would be unable to take down an aircraft in a 9/11 situation.

Professor Chalmers said Scotland would be “begging, borrowing and leasing assets” and would be looking at relying on “second best” hardware.

He added: “I find it difficult to imagine an independent Scotland taking responsibility for patrolling its own airspace”.

He also said it was likely top pilots from Scotland would rather serve in the UK forces because of the availability of better aircraft.

Col Crawford suggested a Scottish army could be as big as 12,500. However, Prof Chalmers questioned why Scotland would need two brigades if it is outside Nato, which is current SNP policy, and is opposed to external intervention.

The two experts also said that Scotland’s ship building industry would be lost if it was outside the UK.

An SNP spokesman said: “It is regrettable that, instead of confronting UK ministers on redundancies or the threatened cuts to our historic regiments, this Westminster committee is only focused on talking down Scotland’s prospects.”