RAF combat pilots will be replaced by unmanned robotic aircraft in the coming years, a senior airforce commander predicted yesterday.

But Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge warned that if ministers try to use technical advances to impose more manpower cuts on the RAF, they will compromise its fighting ability.

Sir Brian also hinted that new Eurofighter jets could be partly stationed at Scottish bases, helping them to avoid closure.

Sir Brian, the commander-in-chief of the RAF's Strike Command, raised the prospect of unmanned combat drones at a briefing with journalists in London.

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