The base is home to RAF Tornado GR4s

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that it expects its Tornado GR4 aircraft to remain at the Moray base for the next 14 years.

The long-term future of the base is being considered by the MoD as part of its Defence Airfield Review, along with RAF Kinloss.

It was announced in September that RAF Lossiemouth is to lose 390 jobs.

The affected posts were in engineering and the maintenance of Tornado aircraft.

On Thursday, a MoD spokeswoman said: "At the moment we are expecting the Tornado GR4s to remain in their current locations, which includes RAF Lossiemouth, until about 2018."

At a time of global instability and military overstretch it makes no sense to run down or close either of the Moray bases Angus Robertson SNP MP

The announcement follows pressure on the MoD from the Moray community and politicians who have been campaigning for the retention of both bases.

In a letter to Scottish National Party (SNP) Moray MP Angus Robertson, Defence Minister Ivor Caplin said: "As you are aware, the long-term future of RAF Lossiemouth is being considered under the Defence Airfield Review.

"Irrespective of the review's outcome, we expect the Tornado GR4 aircraft to remain at Lossiemouth until at least 2018."

Mr Robertson said: "This announcement is good news for service families at Lossiemouth and for the local community who have been campaigning hard in support of the bases.

"Obviously it is a disappointment that no similar assurances have been given about the future of RAF Kinloss.

"I will be joining other campaigners in stepping up our efforts for the retention of both facilities.