THE Red Arrows base is to be offloaded by the skint Ministry of Defence.

RAF Scampton’s shock sale comes less than five years after a £6million upgrade.

2 Insiders have confirmed RAF Scampton will be offloaded by 2020 Credit: Alamy

It is not known where the Reds will move to after 2022 but a source said they hope to stay in the area. Six hundred people work at the Lincolnshire base.

The insider said: “We know the local community will not be happy but the numbers don’t lie.

“It’s a far better use of money to sell. One thing is certain, the Red Arrows’ future is safe.”

In the last two years the MoD has been making plans to offload a third of its estate by 2040 to save on the £2.5billion annual maintenance costs.

2 Around 600 people are employed at the airstrip Credit: PA:Press Association

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RAF Linton-on-Ouse, a training base which employs 300 in North Yorks, will shut by 2020.

RAF Scampton found fame as the Dambusters HQ and became home to the Reds 20 years ago. It may be used for housing.

The MoD said: “Every penny raised will be invested back into defence.”

Incredible cockpit view of a Red Arrows display flight