The Ministry of Defence has unveiled plans to redevelop Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire, Wales, to host a radar project known as the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC).
This project aims to secure long-term jobs and enhance the UK’s capabilities in monitoring deep space.
DARC will establish a network of ground-based radars across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
These radars will provide global space monitoring, significantly improving the ability of AUKUS nations to detect, track, and identify objects up to 36,000 kilometres from Earth. This advanced capability will support land, air, and maritime forces, protect critical infrastructure, and benefit domestic construction and space industries.
Defence Secretary John Healey said of the importance of the project, stating, “The proposed redevelopment of Cawdor Barracks secures jobs at home and defence capabilities for the future. 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. This new radar programme will not only enhance our awareness of deep space, but also help protect our space assets alongside our closest partners.”
Cawdor Barracks currently houses the 14 Signal Regiment. The Ministry of Defence had announced in 2016 that the barracks would close no earlier than 2028. However, the redevelopment for the DARC project will maintain a permanent presence of up to 100 personnel to operate and maintain the radar system.
Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, highlighted the local impact, saying, “The proposed redevelopment of Cawdor Barracks will help secure jobs in the area as well as protecting our national security. This is an important project for Pembrokeshire and this government is committed to working with the local community to ensure it is a success.”
The Ministry of Defence says it is committed to following all necessary planning and environmental processes to gain consent for the redevelopment. A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment, including a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, is underway to support the planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council.
The project must meet all required safety standards, including those set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organisation.
To engage with the local community, the Ministry of Defence will host two public information events on 13 and 14 September 2024. These events will provide an opportunity for community members to learn about the DARC project, ask questions, and share their views. Information from these events will also be available on a dedicated engagement website from 16 September 2024.
What a beautiful part of the world to be stationed and great for the local economy outside of the holiday season.
An interesting observation. Single servicemen/women posted there currently decry that they are miles from civilisation (pubs, clubs, bars, cinemas ectc).
Its a personal opinion as I am from Wales, if you want all of the trappings of civilisation and a major town then it’s not for you, so I can understand their reluctance.
Thanks Malcolm. I agree that it is a beautiful spot. I stayed there in the barracks, when still serving, as a base for adventure training and enjoyed seeing St. Davids, hiking, top roping & abseiling, coasteering and riding in a RIB boat.
They always used to say that half the army was single so a good many of 14 Sig Regt would miss the nightlife – and so too would some of the marrieds!
I knew an unmarried slop jockey once, just finishing his four months in Forkhill.
He was chuffed, he was posted abroad – Benbecula!
Ahh, for those old enough watching OHBC (outer Hebrides broadcasting corporation), broadcasting to continental Scotland
A two year stint.
Thats hilarious! Could he really have put Benbecula near the top of his Posting Preference Proforma!?
Do we stil have army people out there on that rocky outpost?
He did not, he had never heard of it until that moment.
No idea if it is military or all civvy now.
I suppose that there were not many places that were worse than Crossmaglen or Forkhill.
🙂
Benbecula is an RAF RRH – Remote Radar Head, part of the ASCS.
I’m not aware that any army personnel have been posted there?
Was that a “troubles” thing?
Dave said his mate – an army slop jockey was at Benbecula.
The Royal Artillery Guided Weapons Range and facilities was established on South Uist and Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides (1945-1989) and a regiment was temporarily based there during the course of firing practice. Amongst other things, Rapier was fired from there.
RAF use must be a post-1989 thing?
Interesting, didn’t know those details.
I wonder if there are differing sites as I recall the RRH has been there many years.
There was certainly a Royal Signals presence during the 70s and 80s. I knew of at least one singly (apart from the chef) who went – not by choice.
It was not a plum posting.
It might not have been suitable for married types with children of a certain age – schooling must have been limited.
It’s hillarious! He’d not heard of it and thought a nice exotic overseas location.
Windy wet Benbecula, there’s not a lot up there unless you’re into rain, Heather and birds.
I did watch something on YouTube about the “rather interesting” moorland (bog) wild life, newts and things.
Good news, wonder if they will renovate one of the runways?
Only if it will help with the antenna field.
No need otherwise?
Might come in handy when the Aliens land to try and determine why we are beaming microwaves at them 😀
That’s what I was thinking, more for support.
Cannot have too many dispersal sites though.
Agree on dispersal.
We still have a number of runways on MoD estate, such as Brawdys “twin” at the old RAF Chivenor.
Excellent. The development has been a target for local protest groups, putting local views ahead of national security.
So I’m pleased it’s going ahead.
Brawdy, like the old Edzell site in Scotland, has an intelligence history, being the site of an old SOSUS station in the Cold War.
Daniele, you will also know that the site has been home to 14 Sig Regt for many years.
Indeed I do mate. It was the army’s only EW Regiment until 21RS also took the role.it does a lot more than EW though.
14 is due to move to either Imjin Barracks at the old RAF Innsworth or St Athan around 2028.
I went to Brawdy once, whilst still serving – used it as a base for Adv Trg in the locality.
The 14 Sigs singlies we talked to, hated the posting – remote and miles from night life. They also still slagged off the previous tenants (the RAF) for decommissioning the small tenpin bowling alley and the swimming pool on base before they left.
Why does 14 Sigs have to move?
I double checked my files, 14 is due to go to Innsworth, not St Athan. 21 RS, which has also taken on the EW,Sigint role, is also down to move to Innsworth from Colerne, the barracks of which are due to close, even if the wider MoD site remains with the SGS. The Army seems to be garrisoning like for like units in the same area/garrison. Innsworth also happens to be a stones throw from Benhall, the primary GCHQ site, and is a “parent station” to other lodger units with intelligence functions, JSSU (CH) and others I’m not sure have… Read more »
Thanks mate. Good info as ever.
…the bowling Alley belonged to the US Navy facility at Brawdy 🙂
Not sure if that is banter? What would the USN be doing on a RAF base (as was)?
Graham, Brawdy was the location of a USN SOSUS monitoring station in the Cold War.
Another was at Edzell, in Scotland, as I alluded to above.
Post Cold War, as SOSUS became IUSS, the JMF – Joint Maritime Facility, at RAF St Mawgan, took the role.
Now days, with the JMF closing ( though the bunker it was in remains ) the operation is now at Dam Neck in the US, complete with RN/RAF Dets.
Thanks Daniele, I never knew about the post-SOSUS world before.
So good to see projects like this and more generally seeing this Country starting to take Space seriously and making money from it again, after another of Thatcher’s short sighted views arguing that it’s pointless trying to compete in these high tech industries (Airbus being another) because we can’t possibly play in a game dominated by the Americans. 30 years later maturity of once complex technology, production techniques, cost reductions and innovation amongst other factors have led to everyone being able to jump on the bandwagon. Thankfully some UK entrepreneurs over the decades saw the potential her ilk never could… Read more »
Yes and this current lot really know what to do, god help us.
Give them a chance. They have only been in power barely a month!
Did Thatcher ever have that view? What their was of the UK space program was killed off by labour and Tory governments well before her time in my recollections.
Look at guff again and where it mention that personnel will also DEFEND the site, because 100 personnel is not a great number when you think about defence.
Mate, that would apply to most locations.
I was curious when reading that as to who would furnish the 100, and I assumed RAF Space Command, USAF, and MoD civilians.
We both know the UK is undefended, let alone our military infrastructure…
I was hoping the Govt would cut down on news releases containing bollards, I guess they learnt too well from the former miscreants in office.
We deserve far better.
We’ll have to sort of agree and disagree on that one. Not on the miscreants, or who is in power, but that the UK / our military infrastructure is undefended. This is a subject I take a great deal of interest in, so I’m going off on one a bit with some thoughts, so bare with me. As it requires some clarifying as far as, being defended against what? Bases getting infiltrated? By sabotage, espionage or by terrorists? Not so clear cut. Some have very high security. Some less so. Some hardly any. MDP are on station at certain places,… Read more »
May I wait until the weekend before replying?
Pretty please??
Good answer!!! I’d head for the hills as well!!!
Best we forget we had this little convo, there are quite a few rabbit holes in this one. 😉
Just for added interest re the security of MoD locations, there is also a little known organisation called the Security Services Group, part of the MoD DIO.
Security is taken very seriously at a number of locations.
Hopefully the 2nd home owners club won’t scupper this plan.
That of Pembrokeshire around RAF Brawdy ( as was) isn’t that pretty….
Beautiful county that I know well. Full of many lovely Welsh dishes, some of them to do with DARC…😉