The Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) of 2015 spelt out that the Typhoon Force would grow by two frontline units. At the Air Chief's Air Power Conference in London in July 2018, the Chief of the Air Staff, ACM Sir Steven Hillier, announced that No IX (Bomber) Squadron would be the first Typhoon Tranche 1 unit to be set up as per the 2015 SDSR. No IX(B) Squadron was stood down as a Tornado unit at RAF Marham, Norfolk, on March 31 last year, before being immediately re-formed at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland. Last year's addition of two new units - Nos IX and 12 Squadrons - takes the RAF back to its original seven-squadron Typhoon plan. On the other hand, both will also have additional second-line roles, with No IX(B) providing a Red Air capability at Lossiemouth while No 12 will train crew for the Qatar Emiri Air Force at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
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