LONDON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Work started Thursday on a new 188-million-U.S.-dollar home for the British military's new fleet of submarine-hunting aircraft.
Defense secretary Gavin Williamson started the project at the Royal Air Force's base at Lossiemouth in Scotland.
The site will be the future home to a nine-strong fleet of newly built P-8A Poseidon MPA aircraft.
The Ministry of Defense in London said the aircraft's key role will be to protect Britain's submarine-deployed nuclear deterrent and its two new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The aircraft also have the ability to deploy missiles capable of destroying enemy submarines beneath the sea.
During his visit to Scotland, Williamson also visited the Govan shipyard to view the first completed unit of the new anti-submarine warship, HMS Glasgow.
Williamson said: "These submarine hunters will play a vital role in keeping the UK safe from the increasing threats and aggression we face in the skies, on the sea and below the waves."
"This massive investment demonstrates the huge contribution Scotland makes to protecting Britain and how defense generates prosperity and opportunity."
A spokesman for the defense ministry said: "The news comes at a time when the defense secretary has warned that Russian submarine activity has increased 'ten-fold' in the North Atlantic sea."
The new facility at Lossiemouth, due to open in 2020, will comprise a tactical operations center, an operational conversion unit, squadron accommodation, training and simulation facilities, and a aircraft hangar.
