Radar plans 'allow Trump to dominate space'

Plans to build a space radar station could allow US President Donald Trump to dominate space from Wales, campaigners have said.

More than 15,000 people have signed an online petition opposing Ministry of Defence (MoD) plans to build 27 radar dishes at Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire.

Jim Scott, a spokesman for the People Against Radar Campaign (PARC), said "provoking China" by supporting US military aims "where there is no rational imperative to do so" would be a bad idea.

The UK government said Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) was vital to track objects in deep space and protect satellite and communication and navigation networks.

Mr Scott said: "Would you trust Donald Trump, who in recent weeks has switched sides in a global proxy war, to militarily dominate all of space using Pembrokeshire as a foothold to do so?

"If not, we very strongly urge you to consider ways you can help to stop DARC."

Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd (MS) for Mid and West Wales, has tabled a statement in the Senedd opposing DARC, supported by 11 other politicians.

PARC, along with groups including CND Cymru, Stop the War and Peace Action Wales (Heddwch ar Waith), will take the campaign to Senedd politicians on Wednesday, with an event planned at the Pierhead building in Cardiff Bay.

Their concerns also include possible effects on tourism, residents' health, pressures on infrastructure and the geopolitical implications.

"There is a mainstream consensus emerging that where once the UK could go on under the assumption that if there was a major war, that the US could be relied upon to be fighting on the same side as the UK, this is no longer the case," PARC said in a statement.

The DARC dishes would be 66ft (20m) high and 49ft (15m) wide and built very close to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The programme is part of the trilateral AUKUS security partnership with the US and Australian governments.

Those countries are also building similar sites to DARC, in response to possible threats from countries such as Russia and China.

When it was announced in December 2023, then-defence secretary Grant Shapps said tracking activity in "deep space" would help the UK protect itself from "space warfare".

The MoD said radars would enable nations to identify objects in deep space, up to 22,000 miles (36,000 km) from Earth.

Cawdor Barracks was set to close by 2028, but the redevelopment of the site for DARC will keep it open with 100 jobs expected to be created.

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, said the development would "secure jobs in the area" and was an "important project for Pembrokeshire".

A planning application is likely to be submitted this year and building work could start late in 2026 if permission is granted by Pembrokeshire council.

Previous plans to build a radar installation at St Davids Airfield were thrown out in 1991 following a campaign.

The MoD said: "DARC will be operated by UK personnel and the proposal to invest in the disused airfield site at Cawdor Barracks will provide employment and upskilling opportunities within the local community across all sectors.

"The programme follows a strict planning and environmental assurance process, agreed with Pembrokeshire county council."

It said DARC would meet or exceed international environmental and health standards.