Pembrokeshire army barracks to house deep space radar to help protect the UK

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says the initiative will help identify objects up to around 36,000km away from Earth.

Tomos Evans

Wales reporter

Thursday 8 August 2024 02:52, UK

An army barracks in Pembrokeshire is set to be redeveloped as the home of a deep space radar programme, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

The government says the space monitoring initiative would secure long-term jobs at Cawdor Barracks.

Objects in deep space - up to around 36,000km away from Earth - will be detected, tracked and identified using ground-based radars in Australia, the UK and the US.

The government says the initiative, known as Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC), will help the nations' land, air and maritime forces.

The site in Brawdy, near St Davids, has been both a Royal Air Force station and a Royal Navy base.

It is currently home to the 14th Signal Regiment, the army's electric warfare unit.

In 2016, the MoD announced the barracks would close no earlier than 2028.

Redeveloping the site would keep it open, with up to 100 personnel operating the radar capability, according to the government.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the proposed redevelopment would secure jobs and defence capabilities.

"This new radar programme will not only enhance our awareness of deep space, but also help protect our space assets alongside our closest partners," he added.

Wales Secretary Jo Stevens said it was an "important project" for the country and the UK government was committed to working with the community "to ensure its success".

Two events will take place in September to share information with the local community and they will be followed by a statutory consultation period.

Representatives of the programme will attend to answer questions and hear the views of locals.

An environmental impact assessment is also being undertaken by the government to support a planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council.

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