The British army base in Clogher, County Tyrone, is to close over the next six months following an announcement today.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton
announced the move following consultation with the British Army General Officer
Commanding in Northern Ireland on the security situation.
A PSNI statement said: "The closure, which is a measure to ensure that
military resources are being used effectively and efficiently, will not affect
the Army's ability to support the Police Service when required.
"It is expected that the closure of Clogher base will take around six months
to complete."
It is not clear if the move would result in a reduction of the number of British troops in the North.
A report published by the Independent Monitoring Commission in July reported British troop levels in the North as being three times higher than the 5,000-strong garrison planned once the paramilitary threat is lifted, despite that there have been no terrorist-related deaths of security force members since 1998
In May there were about 15,000 troops based in the North, but by September that figure should have dropped to about 12,700.
Unionists have rounded on the move with the UUP representative Mr Tom Elliot insisting the closure of the Co Tyrone base was an act of folly.
Mr Elliot claimed the move would leave his constituents in Fermanagh and South Tyrone exposed to terrorist attack.
"Clogher base has served a crucial role as part of our counter-terrorism
measures for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone area," the Ulster Unionist MLA
insisted.
"It is a huge mistake to close down the base because it leaves our border
area vulnerable, exposed and, apart from two small barracks in Enniskillen and
Dungannon, virtually devoid of any significant military presence.
"This decision was taken without the consultation of any local representatives."
Mr Elliot said that, according to police sources, the level of threat from republican paramilitaries in Fermanagh and South Tyrone remained high.