US/UK/Australia: Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability: A Trilateral Initiative for Global Space Security Amid Heightened Global Tensions

This 22-year partnership aims to deploy a global network of advanced ground-based radar systems to enhance space domain awareness by tracking objects in geosynchronous orbit (GEO).

US/UK/AU - One year after signing the trilateral agreement, the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) partnership is completing facilities construction at the first of three sites that will host a global network of advanced ground-based sensors.

Photo/Video: Snapshot of the below video by the British Government

What Is DARC?

The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) is a trilateral initiative established by the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on September 27, 2023.

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This 22-year partnership aims to deploy a global network of advanced ground-based radar systems to enhance space domain awareness by tracking objects in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), approximately 22,236 miles above Earth.

Designed to operate continuously in all weather conditions, DARC will monitor satellites, space debris, and potential threats, safeguarding critical space-based services essential for defense and civilian applications.

• The first DARC site, located in Exmouth, Western Australia, completed construction in December 2024, ahead of its projected timeline, with initial radar transmission achieved in September 2024. Full operational capability is expected by 2027.

• The second site, proposed for Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire, Wales, is undergoing environmental and planning assessments, with the U.K. Ministry of Defence anticipating economic benefits through sustained local employment.

• A third site, to be situated in the continental United States, remains under evaluation, with the entire network slated for completion by 2032.

DARC employs innovative radar technology, utilizing multiple smaller arrays to replicate the capacity of a single large receiver, a concept proven by the U.S. Space Force in 2021. This enables precise, 24/7 tracking of objects in GEO, overcoming limitations of optical systems constrained by weather and daylight.

The initiative addresses escalating challenges in space, including debris and adversarial actions, enhancing the AUKUS partners’ ability to protect vital infrastructure and respond to threats.

Collectively, DARC strengthens strategic deterrence and interoperability, aligning with broader security objectives in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability Makes Tremendous Progress In The First Year