WASHINGTON: The United States Air Force has temporarily suspended its plans to deploy a next-generation space radar system in Australia. The proposed system, known as the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC), was part of a trilateral effort between the US, UK, and Australia to enhance space domain awareness across the Indo-Pacific.
According to officials, the decision was made as part of a broader strategic review and not due to any breakdown in relations or technical setbacks. The radar was expected to track and monitor objects in geostationary orbit and serve as a vital tool for national security, but the Air Force is now reassessing deployment priorities and timelines.
While the initiative has not been entirely scrapped, its current pause reflects shifting defense priorities in the wake of evolving global security concerns and budgetary adjustments. Australia remains a key ally in space surveillance cooperation, and future decisions will be made in coordination with partner nations.
