UK to Build Radar Station to Counter Space Threats from China and Russia

The Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom plans to deploy a radar station in Wales to track satellites in space to counter space threats from China and Russia.

This was reported by The Telegraph.

The newest British long-range radar called DARC is planned to be deployed at the Cawdor-Berrex airbase in the Welsh region of Pembrokeshire. Its task will be to track satellites to protect important satellite communications and navigation networks.

"This new radar programme will not only increase our awareness of the situation in space, but will also help protect our space forces alongside our closest partners," commented British Defence Secretary John Healey.

The US is preparing to deploy new means of jamming Russian and Chinese satellites

The plans to build the DARC were first announced in 2021. At the time, the British Air Force leadership called the project a national priority. The radar is a multinational project that originated from the AUKUS defence pact between the UK, the US, and Australia.

The deployment of DARC became known against the backdrop of Beijing and Moscow's increasingly active attempts to assert their influence in the space sector.

This year, the Pentagon has been actively expanding its space warfare capabilities, as it believes that China and Russia's rapid progress in space operations poses an increasing threat to US satellites in orbit.

According to the United States, Moscow is developing nuclear weapons for deployment in Earth orbit, which could pose a threat to US satellites.

The Russians are also launching satellites that could be used as space weapons.