Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 81, what progress has he made in establishing a Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability.

The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) is a ground-based radar system that will provide 24/7, all-weather capabilities to detect, track, identify and characterise objects up to Geostationary Earth Orbit. DARC will require three permanent radar sites and a radar operations centre to provide 360-degree coverage: in Australia, the UK and the US. Construction of sites in Australia (Exmouth) and the US (IROC, Eglin) have been completed.

The USSF signed a contract with Northrop Grumman on 23 August 2024 for construction of the UK site starting April 2027.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has completed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, to ensure that the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) project has minimal impact on the local skyline. The EIA is part of a Town Planning application that was submitted to the local planning authority in March 2026.

The Defence Electromagnetic Authority, working with the Office of Communications, has issued an initial Authority to Operate. MOD and the Civil Aviation Authority is completing the necessary safety of flight procedures for local airspace.