A new landmark radar initiative with some of the UK’s closest partners aims to increase UK security by being able to better 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 UK, and the US – will provide 24/7, all weather capabilities that will increase AUKUS 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 unique geographic positioning of the three nations means that DARC can provide global coverage, including detecting potential threats to defence or civilian space systems.

The capability is set to benefit all three nations’ land, air, and maritime forces, as well as protect critical infrastructure and benefit their domestic construction and space industries.

“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,” UK defence secretary Grant Shapps said.

“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.”

Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire Wales has been identified as the UK’s preferred site for DARC. The final siting decision is conditional on the results of the ongoing comprehensive MOD-funded Environmental Impact Assessment and subsequent Town Planning application.

Alongside DARC’s promised 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.

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These new radar systems have higher sensitivity, better accuracy, increased capacity, and a more agile tracking system than current radars, according to the UK government.

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 programme follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2023. DARC will enhance our collective space domain awareness, which is a key objective of the UK’s Defence Space Strategy, published last year.

AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US to support a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening the country’s regional global security. The countries are hailing the DARC as a significant step forward for delivery of enhanced security capabilities between the partner nations.