The government is buying 22 new Chinook helicopters and other equipment to be used in Afghanistan but is closing the Rutland base to help cover costs.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth made the announcement this afternoon. He confirmed the base would be closed and defence jobs cut to allow £900m more to be spent on the mission.

The first 10 helicopters are expected to be ready by 2012/2013.

The Harrier jets based at RAF Cottesmore will move to nearby RAF Wittering before being phased out of service altogether - earlier than the previously planned withdrawal date of 2018.

Rutland MP Alan Duncan has vowed to fight for RAF Cottesmore to remain open.

He said: "RAF Cottesmore is the home of the Harrier force that won the Falkland's War. The base still has strategic value and I oppose plans for its closure in the strongest possible terms.

"It is as a result of a catastrophic failure of planning on the Government's part. RAF Cottesmore is being sacrificed because of the Prime Minister's incompetence at managing the economy.

"The Government needs to get a grip on the situation so that the Royal Air Force and the nation's long term security are not harmed by short sighted base closures.

"The people of Rutland have an economic as well as emotional attachment to the base, and I will fight to keep it open."

* How will the closure of RAF Cottesmore affect you? Send your views to andrea.scholes@jpress.co.uk or call the news desk on 01780 750436.