PEACE campaigners united today to condemn the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) decision to build a deep space radar capability (Darc) site near St Davids, Pembrokeshire.
Defence Secretary John Healey has announced that the facility at Cawdor Barracks will be able to detect, track and identify objects in deep space, in collaboration with radars from Britain’s allies in the Aukus alliance – Australia and the US.
The network of ground-based radars will enable global space monitoring and tracking of objects in deep space up to around 22,000 miles from Earth. It would also enable the alliance to shoot down satellites.
Stop the War Cymru’s Dominic MacAskill said: “The MoD statement focusing on the creation of high-paid jobs and space safety disguises the real aim of Darc, which is the furtherance of US military dominance of space and the development of a dangerous Star Wars agenda.
“This radar site will blight Pembrokeshire’s National Park and negatively impact the vital tourism industry, but it will put Wales at the heart of a dangerous military space race.
“As one of the founding organisations against Darc we are united, both peace campaigners and local communities, in our campaign to defeat this radar site for a second time.”
Mr Healey claimed the proposed redevelopment “secures jobs at home and defence capabilities for the future.”
“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 said.
Jim Scott is one of the founding members of Pembrokeshire Against the Radar Campaign (Parc) and launched the campaign against the giant radar site earlier this summer.
He said: “We repeat our call for our local MP and Senedd members to declare their position on this.
“The issue is likely to be a big vote-loser in the 2026 Senedd elections with some major parties such as Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Greens already having come out staunchly against Darc.”
The local campaigners claim the MoD’s scoping report admits the project would mean 100 heavy lorries per day along the coast road and through Newgale itself.
“We know the people of Pembrokeshire won’t go along with this, but the road infrastructure simply does not exist for this size of project,” Mr Scott said.
