The government has said that a new landmark radar initiative will boost UK security by being better able to detect, track and identify objects in deep space.

The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) programme – unveiled by the respective Defence Secretaries of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States – is designed to provide 24/7, all-weather capabilities that will increase the three nations’ ability to characterise objects deep in space up to 22,000 miles away from earth.

DARC will see a global network of three ground-based radars to be jointly operated that will assist in critical space-traffic management and contribute to the global surveillance of satellites in deep space.

The government says that the unique geographic positioning of the three nations means that DARC can provide global coverage, including detecting potential threats to defence or civilian space systems.

“As the world becomes more contested and the danger of space warfare increases, the UK and our allies must ensure we have the advanced capabilities we need to keep our nations’ safe,” said UK defence secretary, Grant Shapps. “Today’s announcement of a global radar network (DARC), based across the UK, US and Australia will do just that.

“Empowering the UK to detect, track and identify objects in deep space.”

The preferred site for the new programme is Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The final siting decision is conditional on the results of the ongoing comprehensive MOD-funded Environmental Impact Assessment and subsequent Town Planning application.

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