Welcome for South Uist rocket range modernisation
3 December 2016
Operator, QinetiQ, is upgrading the base with new weapon testing tracking equipment and range infrastructure to meet the requirements of a Ministry of Defence contract.
The Uist revamp is said to be worth £60 million.
The Hebrides Range has the largest area for the live firing of rockets and missiles of any UK range, providing a secure environment for test and evaluation, and training for air, sea and ground launched weapons.
The base came under threat by Labour in 2009 -
A community campaign resulted in an U-
It faced another closure threat under a review by the Lib-
This summer around five or six staff lost their jobs when posts at the range were merged.
Alasdair Allan MSP commented: “The community in Uist has built up a reputation over many years for its commitment to Hebrides Range and has spoken up clearly in the past when those jobs have been under threat.
MP Angus MacNeil said: “The Hebrides Range is an important employer and today’s announcement from QinetiQ is very good news for the economy in Uist.
“I am delighted for the workforce and I do hope that this announcement will bring stability for many years to the Hebrides Range.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant said: “Seven years ago, 125 out of the 225 jobs related to this range were under threat and there was a real threat that the range would be closed.
“If this had happened then there would have been a devastating impact on the Western Isles in terms of the economic viability of the islands as this organisation was the biggest private sector employer on them.
“There would also have been a devastating impact on one of Britain’s prized wildlife reserves. This latest decision just shows that the local communities, the Western Isles Council, HIE, other organisations and some of our politicians were right to fight this threatened closure back then.This news should be welcomed relief to so many.”
Politicians are welcoming a decision to keep the South Uist rocket range open until 2028 at least.