RAF to build satellite station to track ‘reckless’ China and Russia in space

A radar station for tracking satellites in space is to be built in Wales as the Royal Air Force gears up to tackle “reckless” space threats from the likes of China and Russia.

Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire, formerly known as RAF Brawdy, will be the site of the UK’s newest long range satellite-tracking radar station.

Known as the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (Darc), the station is intended to help protect essential satellite communication and navigation networks.

John Healey, Defence Secretary, said: “This new radar programme will not only enhance our awareness of deep space, but also help protect our space assets alongside our closest partners.

“Space plays a crucial role in our daily lives – used by everything from our mobile phones to banking services.

“It is also used by UK Defence to conduct vital tasks such as supporting military operations, navigating forces and gathering intelligence.”

Three years ago when plans to build Darc were first announced, the then-head of the RAF said the radar station was a national priority.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston warned of “irresponsible and reckless testing by Russia and China” of anti-satellite weapons while speaking to The Telegraph at the US Space and Missile Systems Center, in Los Angeles.

Building the radar station at Brawdy will keep the site open beyond its currently-planned closure date of 2028, the Ministry of Defence said.

Cawdor Barracks is home to the Army’s secretive 14 Signal Regiment, an electronic warfare unit.

Darc is a multi-national project with its origins in the Aukus defence pact between the UK, US and Australia.

Although the main part of the Aukus project is building new nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian and British navies, defence co-operation between the three countries is gradually increasing as a result of the close links required to transfer sensitive technologies.

Over the past decade, China has emerged as a space superpower, challenging the traditionally US-dominated domain beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.

It has launched a rival to the International Space Station, landed a probe on the dark side of the Moon and launched its own satellite constellation to rival the US-owned GPS network.

The country hosted 222 space launches in 2023, behind only the US.

Russia is posing a similar threat to the international rules-based order in space, with the US warning in May that Vladimir Putin’s country had launched a new weapon capable of destroying satellites.

Cosmos 2576, deployed via a rocket launched from western Russia last week, has been described by Pentagon officials as “a counter space weapon”.