After a two-day tour, Mr Luff said it was important to modernise the sites.

BBC: Luff praises Hebrides contribution to Libya operations

Mr Luff confirmed that the government expects to make no further cuts to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) budget.

BBC: Defence Committee

Responding to Monday's debate, defence procurement minister Peter Luff said no decisions had been made on long-term maintenance contracts but the "main investment decision for support arrangements" would be taken "before the middle of this decade".

BBC: Gordon Brown urges aircraft carrier work at Rosyth