Published 03 Sept 2021

A total of nine submarine-hunting aircraft will eventually operate out of the coastal base in Moray, Scotland

The Poseidon strategic facility at RAF Lossiemouth has been officially named.

The long-term home for the fleet of submarine-hunting aircraft in Moray, Scotland, will be known as the Atlantic Building.

Procured and delivered by DE&S, the facility has a three-bay hangar, accommodation for squadrons, training and mission support, and two state-of-the art flight simulators.

More than 300 jobs were supported during the two-year build carried out by Boeing Defence UK and local sub-contractor Robertson.

Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said:

“The state-of-the-art Atlantic Building enables our Poseidon fleet to perform their vital role for UK defence. The building’s name reflects the heritage of CXX Squadron and the importance of the aircraft’s mission to protect our maritime interests.

“This fantastic facility is a key part of defence’s £360-million investment in RAF Lossiemouth, which has created and supported hundreds of jobs in Moray.”

Specialising in anti-submarine warfare, the Poseidon (P-8A) is the RAF’s multi-role maritime patrol aircraft. Working alongside the Royal Navy and close maritime allies, Poseidon locates, identifies and tracks potentially hostile submarines operating around UK waters.

As well as the naming of The Atlantic Building, RAF Lossiemouth this week celebrated the new Standard being presented to CXX Squadron, which re-formed last year and is operating the Poseidon fleet.

The Atlantic Ocean was, and remains, of vital strategic importance to the UK. During World War Two, CXX Squadron deployed to Iceland in 1941 where they served with distinction and courage in the Battle of the Atlantic, rapidly becoming the most successful antisubmarine warfare squadron in history.

The building name reflects the heritage of the squadron and the importance of the mission currently being undertaken.

Malcolm French, DE&S P-8A Poseidon team leader, said: “The DE&S P-8A Poseidon delivery team is immensely proud of its central role and project success in delivering not just a fleet of very capable Maritime Patrol Aircraft, but also the critical enabling mission-support system and associated in-house and contracted services that include the magnificent strategic facility. 

“That pride was intensified at the Lossiemouth ceremonies, which captured and celebrated the special collaboration across the front-line/DE&S/industry spectrum and the naming of the Atlantic Building and all that means to so many, past and present.”

Early this year, a long-term training and support contract for the Poseidon fleet worth more than £230 million was signed with Boeing Defence UK (BDUK) creating more than 150 UK jobs.

Nine Poseidon, based on the Boeing 737-800, have already been ordered from Boeing by the UK. Six aircraft named the ‘Pride of Moray’, ‘City of Elgin’, ‘Terence Bulloch’, ‘Spirit of Reykjavik’ and ‘Fulmar’ are all now operating out of Lossiemouth.

Four more are due to arrive later this year, with the sixth in the fleet being named ‘Guernsey’s Reply’.