Welsh barracks chosen as site for new radar system to track objects in deep space
A Welsh barracks has been identified as the UK site for a major new global radar system to help detect, track and identify objects in deep space.
The Deep Space Advanced Radar capability, or DARC programme, will provide three ground-based radars in the UK, Australia and the United States.
They will be able to identify objects 22,000 miles away from the Earth.
Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire, which is currently home to a British Army signals regiment that is due to relocate in 2028, has been identified as the preferred site.
The decision is now subject to an MOD-funded environmental impact assessment and planning approval.
The move came as Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and his US and Australian counterparts, Lloyd Austin and Richard Marles, met in California to discuss the Aukus enhanced defence and security partnership.
The Aukus deal between the three nations aims to create what is likely to be the largest, most advanced and most powerful nuclear-powered and conventionally armed attack submarine ever operated by the Senior Service.
While the final design of the new submarine is yet to be unveiled, the vessel is expected to share similar traits to the hull structure of the 7,400-tonne, 97m-long Astute-class, but will be more advanced in terms of stealth technology and be larger in size.
It is also expected to have some similarities with the American Virginia-class vessel.
The three-way arrangement will also see Australia acquire its first conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine.
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