Fate of Massive Space Radar in Ministers' Hands
The future of the giant radar station in Pembrokeshire is being decided.
1Plans for Giant Radar Station
Plans to build a 20-meter-high space radar station in Pembrokeshire will be decided by Welsh government ministers. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) aims to install 27 radar dishes at Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy.
2AUKUS Security Partnership
The radar dishes, standing at 66 feet (20 meters) high and 49 feet (15 meters) wide, will form part of a trilateral AUKUS security partnership with the US and Australian governments. This project is vital for tracking objects in deep space and protecting satellite communication and navigation networks.
3Planning Application Process
Out of approximately 25,000 planning applications in Wales, fewer than a dozen are decided by ministers each year. This process means the final decision is made by ministers rather than the local council.
4Campaign Against Radar
The People Against Radar Campaign (PARC) group welcomed the ministers' decision, claiming the project could allow US President Donald Trump to dominate space from Wales. PARC stated the radar is being developed for the US Space Force, with military spending doubling since Trump took office.
5Militarization of Space
PARC described the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) project as a significant escalation in the militarization of space. The group emphasized the project's international importance, not just local.
6Welsh Government's Stance
The Plaid Cymru-led Welsh government declined to comment on calling in the planning application. The government noted that anyone can request a planning application to be called in, but it does not necessarily mean it will be refused.
Original article: BBC News — Dev Uzay Radarının Geleceği Bakanların Elinde