In a “new phase” of a security arrangement between the UK, US and Australia by 2030 – known as AUKUS – Britain’s Ministry of Defence has announced plans for an array of radars that will enable identification of objects in deep space, up to 22,000 miles (36,000 km) away from earth.

Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps said the system would be “constantly tracking threats”.

The first radar site will be built in Australia and is expected to be up and running by 2026.

Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire, Wales has been earmarked for the UK’s radar, but the final decision depends on the outcome of an Environmental Impact Assessment and Town Planning application.

The barracks is currently home to a British Army Signals Regiment, which is due to relocate from 2028.

Alongside DARC’s defence benefits, it also has the capability to monitor and protect the essential services that rely on satellites in space, including everyday aspects of life such as communications and navigation.

This will play a crucial role in AUKUS’ ability to preserve peace and deter conflict in the Indo-Pacific and the rest of the world.

These new radar systems have higher sensitivity, better accuracy, increased capacity, and more agile tracking than current radars and optical systems tracking objects in deep space orbit. This will see greater global monitoring provided to inform UK defence operations, bypassing the current inclement weather and daylight limitations of some current capabilities.

The first DARC radar site, which is being constructed in Australia, is expected to be operational in 2026, with all three sites operational by the end of the decade.

Read also: AUKUS: Defence Ministers of UK, Australia & United States meet in California

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