RAF Lyneham to be Defence Technical Training Centre
18th July 2011
THE former RAF Lyneham base is to remain under military occupation it has been announced. The move is part of a £1.5 bn investment in UK reserve forces over the next 10 years as part of a wide-ranging shake-up of the UK's military.

Defence Secretary Liam Fox told parliament this afternoon that defence technical training programme will move to the former RAF base ‘guaranteeing its future’.

Dr Fox told MPs that the Territorial Army would form around 30 per cent of a 120,000-strong Army by 2020. In a statement to MPs Dr Fox announced major changes in the basing of forces, with RAF installations set to be taken over by Army units returning from Germany.

Speaking after the announcement, North Wiltshire MP James Gray said: "We fought long and hard to keep the RAF at Lyneham, but sadly failed, so I was delighted by the Secretary of State's announcement today that the base will instead be used by the defence technical training establishment.

"This will mean that at least 1,500 Service personnel will be moving into Lyneham in the near future to replace the departing RAF which is good news for everyone in the area".

Dr Fox told MPs £400m would be spent this Parliament on boosting the reserve forces, with the possibility of new legislation to ‘ensure that the reserves are more readily usable on operations’.

He said the growth in the Territorial Army's strength would allow a ‘progressive adjustment’ in the balance with regular troops.

"The overall package I have announced today is good news for our armed forces and means they can look forward to the future with renewed confidence because the defence programme I have announced is underpinned with real resources,” he said

Military lecturer Peter Caddick-Adams, at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, described the announcement as "excellent news". He said: "There was a great fear that the Lyneham estate would be sold off, which made no sense. It's a very intelligent use of the estate, which has had a lot of money put into it over the years and it would be a shame to see it sold off quite cheaply.

Defefence Secretary Liam Fox was saying about Lyneham - RAF Lyneham is the preferred location for future Defence Technical Training. This confirms that the Department will withdraw from Arborfield, in Berkshire and Bordon, in Hampshire, releasing the sites for sale by 2014-15 at the latest. This announcement in no way threatens the existing Defence presence at St Athan. There are no plans to move or reduce the 300 technical training posts as part of the rationalisation to Lyneham. Indeed plans to relocate additional Defence units to St Athan are being developed, and if those plans come to fruition, they will bring a major uplift in employment at that base. We intend to make an announcement before the end of the year.

Arborfield - Arborfield is currently the location of the Regimental Headquarters of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of the British Army. Within the Garrison is a significant area of housing, containing a mixture of military and civilian properties.

The garrison contains Hazebrouck Barracks, which is a training base for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) School of Electronic and Aeronautical Engineering (SEAE). The potential craftsmen within SEAE, study in the school to learn a trade as aircraft technicians, avionics technicians, and electronics technicians, (which encompasses all maintenanence operatives for all land based electronic equipment).

The Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE), established on 1 April 2004 as a result of the Defence Training Review (DTR), is responsible for training of aircraft and avionic technicians. This college from its conception has been integrated as part of SEAE.

Bordon - The School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (SEME) is a training school, providing trade (Phase 2) training for soldiers of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).

SEME is the UKs largest electro-mechanical engineering teaching establishment. At any time there are approximately 1500 soldiers at SEME undertaking career and equipment courses and gaining transferable qualifications ranging from NVQ level 2 to HND.

SEME is committed to delivering relevant training in support of current operations, consequently the number and diversity of our technical courses is greater than ever. Their mantra is 'Soldier First, Tradesman Always' and so maintaining and developing soldiers' military skills, in parallel with their trade, is at the heart of what they do.

Currently, SEME also offers soldiers the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sporting and adventurous pursuits. The Bordon gymnasium, swimming pool and sports pitches are second to none. Also available are first class medical, dental and physiotherapy facilities.

SEME is constantly updating and modernising its technical training courses and teaching techniques. They have recently invested in new computer based learning for soldiers undertaking the Common Foundation Module and further investment this year will see Armourers' training being transformed.

Prior to today's annoucment SEME were under the apprehension that a move was on the cards. In around 2015, the Defence Training Review will relocate SEME and other Service schools to a brand new Defence Technical College at St Athan in South Wales.

SEME offers real opportunity to those seeking a challenging and rewarding career within the Army. Our courses will test soldiers' determination and commitment and in doing so prepare them for their first and future assignments.

The Secretary of State for Defence Dr Liam Fox said "This commitment to increase Defence equipment funding after 2015 will ensure our Armed Forces remain a formidable fighting force on the world stage. I am determined to maintain Britain's position in the international premier league and to ensure that our Royal Navy, Army and RAF are given the tools they need to do their vital work. Read the Defence Statement in full more