The UK Ministry of Defence is conducting a consultation regarding the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) programme.
The United Kingdom, United States and Australia announced the creation of the DARC programme in December 2023. DARC will enable the detection, identification and tracking of objects in Earth orbit, including space debris. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is proposing to house the UK DARC site at the former Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire and to refurbish the site to accommodate new DARC facilities.
The MOD is required to conduct a statutory pre-application consultation to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and the wider community to review the proposal and submit feedback prior to the submission of the planning application.
The pre-application consultation period has been launched and will run to 23 March 2026. The MOD will review all feedback and consider it when refining the proposal, where appropriate. Once this process is complete, the MOD intends to submit a formal planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council.
Feedback can be submitted via email to darc@cascadecommunications.co.uk.
For more information
Ministry of Defence – United Kingdom
Image: DARC aerial view showing a layout of the radar antennae on the disused airfield alongside the existing buildings at Cawdor Barracks. (MOD Crown Copyright)