A FLEET of Scottish-based RAF jets to monitor Russian submarines is not at full force due to a lack of crews.
The last of nine hi-tech Poseidons, worth £2.2billion, arrived at RAF Lossiemouth, in Moray, in January.
But The Sunday Times reports there are only enough trained crews to fly five.
It emerged last month that Britain is deploying the aircraft to the Arctic as melting sea ice increases the Russian threat.
But in January, the Ministry of Defence acknowledged slow progress on training crews.
Officials said “regaining long-range maritime skills will take time”.
A defence insider said: “It was considered more important to buy the jets than worry about paying for training the crews.”
Armed Forces minister James Heappey has said five Poseidon crews had been trained by January.
And a further 16 RAF personnel began training in March.
But sources said they will not be ready until early next year. Labour MP Kevan Jones, called it a “chaotic situation”.
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He added: “As a result of the rushed decision to fill the gap left by getting rid of Nimrod we have the chaotic situation where the Poseidon planes have no pilots and crews at a time when Russian aggression is leaving a huge dent and vulnerability in our defences.”
Retired RAF maritime surveillance pilot, Wing Commander Andrew Brookes, said: “It is just amazing that we have not got the training for the Poseidon up and running yet.
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“It is so typical that we have wonderful ideas but have not got the money to buy the support and training that is so important to fielding real capability.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: “Given the gravity of the international situation it is in everyone’s interest that the difficulties that have been identified are addressed and rectified at the earliest opportunity.”
In a statement the RAF said: “All nine of our Poseidon aircraft are flying regularly on crew training and on operations, including Russia-facing tasks.
“Over the next two years, the RAF will increase its annual flying rate as crew numbers build to full operating capability in 2024.”