SNP plans larger Scots military

SNP plan defence force recruitment drive

The armed forces of an independent Scotland would be 20,000 strong, according to the Scottish National Party's defence spokesman.

Colin Campbell MSP said it would mean an increase of 5000 in service personnel stationed in Scotland.

He told the SNP conference in Inverness a recruitment drive would be launched immediately after independence to attract more Scots into the "Scottish Defence Force".

It would include those already in the UK army stationed elsewhere.

Colin Campbell: Trident subs out of Clyde

He said that increasing the number of army regulars in Scotland would be a multi-million pound boost to the Scots economy.

Mr Campbell said: "You do not need to be a great mathematician to work out that is 5,000 extra people in Scotland, being paid in Scotland and spending their money in Scotland.

"That works out at around an additional £150m a year money being spent in Scotland."

Mr Campbell also told delegates that members of the defence force would be given a permanent base in Scotland.

Even if they were stationed elsewhere in the world, their families could stay at home.

Delegates unanimously backed the party's defence policy, which commits the SNP to negotiating for the "safe removal" of the Trident nuclear submarine on the River Clyde.

The conference also voted in favour of the international elimination of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

The Scottish defence force would also take part in peace-keeping and humanitarian operations.