diff --git a/.changes/unreleased/charts-redpanda-Fixed-20260406-144320.yaml b/.changes/unreleased/charts-redpanda-Fixed-20260406-144320.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2d08c6681
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changes/unreleased/charts-redpanda-Fixed-20260406-144320.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+project: charts/redpanda
+kind: Fixed
+body: Fixed issue with ballast file tuning where the tuning container didn't mount the proper directory needed for propagating the ballast file to the main container.
+time: 2026-04-06T14:43:20.320504-04:00
diff --git a/.changes/unreleased/operator-Fixed-20260406-144320.yaml b/.changes/unreleased/operator-Fixed-20260406-144320.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..86d682d51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changes/unreleased/operator-Fixed-20260406-144320.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+project: operator
+kind: Fixed
+body: Fixed issue with ballast file tuning where the tuning container didn't mount the proper directory needed for propagating the ballast file to the main container.
+time: 2026-04-06T14:43:20.320502-04:00
diff --git a/charts/redpanda/chart/templates/_statefulset.go.tpl b/charts/redpanda/chart/templates/_statefulset.go.tpl
index 122740f35..ca48c2871 100644
--- a/charts/redpanda/chart/templates/_statefulset.go.tpl
+++ b/charts/redpanda/chart/templates/_statefulset.go.tpl
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@
 {{- break -}}
 {{- end -}}
 {{- $_is_returning = true -}}
-{{- (dict "r" (mustMergeOverwrite (dict "name" "" "resources" (dict)) (dict "name" "tuning" "image" (printf "%s:%s" $state.Values.image.repository (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.Tag" (dict "a" (list $state)))) "r")) "command" (list `/bin/bash` `-c` `rpk redpanda tune all`) "securityContext" (mustMergeOverwrite (dict) (dict "capabilities" (mustMergeOverwrite (dict) (dict "add" (list `SYS_RESOURCE`))) "privileged" true "runAsNonRoot" false "runAsUser" ((0 | int64) | int64) "runAsGroup" ((0 | int64) | int64))) "volumeMounts" (concat (default (list) (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.CommonMounts" (dict "a" (list $state)))) "r")) (list (mustMergeOverwrite (dict "name" "" "mountPath" "") (dict "name" "base-config" "mountPath" "/etc/redpanda"))))))) | toJson -}}
+{{- (dict "r" (mustMergeOverwrite (dict "name" "" "resources" (dict)) (dict "name" "tuning" "image" (printf "%s:%s" $state.Values.image.repository (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.Tag" (dict "a" (list $state)))) "r")) "command" (list `/bin/bash` `-c` `rpk redpanda tune all`) "securityContext" (mustMergeOverwrite (dict) (dict "capabilities" (mustMergeOverwrite (dict) (dict "add" (list `SYS_RESOURCE`))) "privileged" true "runAsNonRoot" false "runAsUser" ((0 | int64) | int64) "runAsGroup" ((0 | int64) | int64))) "volumeMounts" (concat (default (list) (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.CommonMounts" (dict "a" (list $state)))) "r")) (list (mustMergeOverwrite (dict "name" "" "mountPath" "") (dict "name" "base-config" "mountPath" "/etc/redpanda")) (mustMergeOverwrite (dict "name" "" "mountPath" "") (dict "name" `datadir` "mountPath" `/var/lib/redpanda/data`))))))) | toJson -}}
 {{- break -}}
 {{- end -}}
 {{- end -}}
@@ -215,9 +215,9 @@
 {{- (dict "r" (coalesce nil)) | toJson -}}
 {{- break -}}
 {{- end -}}
-{{- $_398_uid_gid := (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.securityContextUidGid" (dict "a" (list $state $pool "set-datadir-ownership")))) "r") -}}
-{{- $uid := ((index $_398_uid_gid 0) | int64) -}}
-{{- $gid := ((index $_398_uid_gid 1) | int64) -}}
+{{- $_402_uid_gid := (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.securityContextUidGid" (dict "a" (list $state $pool "set-datadir-ownership")))) "r") -}}
+{{- $uid := ((index $_402_uid_gid 0) | int64) -}}
+{{- $gid := ((index $_402_uid_gid 1) | int64) -}}
 {{- $_is_returning = true -}}
 {{- (dict "r" (mustMergeOverwrite (dict "name" "" "resources" (dict)) (dict "name" "set-datadir-ownership" "image" (printf "%s:%s" $pool.Statefulset.initContainerImage.repository $pool.Statefulset.initContainerImage.tag) "command" (list `/bin/sh` `-c` (printf `chown %d:%d -R /var/lib/redpanda/data` $uid $gid)) "securityContext" (mustMergeOverwrite (dict) (dict "runAsUser" (0 | int64) "runAsGroup" (0 | int64))) "volumeMounts" (concat (default (list) (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.CommonMounts" (dict "a" (list $state)))) "r")) (list (mustMergeOverwrite (dict "name" "" "mountPath" "") (dict "name" `datadir` "mountPath" `/var/lib/redpanda/data`))))))) | toJson -}}
 {{- break -}}
@@ -230,12 +230,12 @@
 {{- $containerName := (index .a 2) -}}
 {{- range $_ := (list 1) -}}
 {{- $_is_returning := false -}}
-{{- $_424_gid_uid := (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.giduidFromPodTemplate" (dict "a" (list $state.Values.podTemplate "redpanda")))) "r") -}}
-{{- $gid := (index $_424_gid_uid 0) -}}
-{{- $uid := (index $_424_gid_uid 1) -}}
-{{- $_425_sgid_suid := (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.giduidFromPodTemplate" (dict "a" (list $pool.Statefulset.podTemplate "redpanda")))) "r") -}}
-{{- $sgid := (index $_425_sgid_suid 0) -}}
-{{- $suid := (index $_425_sgid_suid 1) -}}
+{{- $_428_gid_uid := (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.giduidFromPodTemplate" (dict "a" (list $state.Values.podTemplate "redpanda")))) "r") -}}
+{{- $gid := (index $_428_gid_uid 0) -}}
+{{- $uid := (index $_428_gid_uid 1) -}}
+{{- $_429_sgid_suid := (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.giduidFromPodTemplate" (dict "a" (list $pool.Statefulset.podTemplate "redpanda")))) "r") -}}
+{{- $sgid := (index $_429_sgid_suid 0) -}}
+{{- $suid := (index $_429_sgid_suid 1) -}}
 {{- if (ne (toJson $sgid) "null") -}}
 {{- $gid = $sgid -}}
 {{- end -}}
@@ -312,9 +312,9 @@
 {{- (dict "r" (coalesce nil)) | toJson -}}
 {{- break -}}
 {{- end -}}
-{{- $_504_uid_gid := (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.securityContextUidGid" (dict "a" (list $state $pool "set-tiered-storage-cache-dir-ownership")))) "r") -}}
-{{- $uid := ((index $_504_uid_gid 0) | int64) -}}
-{{- $gid := ((index $_504_uid_gid 1) | int64) -}}
+{{- $_508_uid_gid := (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.securityContextUidGid" (dict "a" (list $state $pool "set-tiered-storage-cache-dir-ownership")))) "r") -}}
+{{- $uid := ((index $_508_uid_gid 0) | int64) -}}
+{{- $gid := ((index $_508_uid_gid 1) | int64) -}}
 {{- $cacheDir := (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.Storage.TieredCacheDirectory" (dict "a" (list $state.Values.storage $state)))) "r") -}}
 {{- $mounts := (get (fromJson (include "redpanda.CommonMounts" (dict "a" (list $state)))) "r") -}}
 {{- $mounts = (concat (default (list) $mounts) (list (mustMergeOverwrite (dict "name" "" "mountPath" "") (dict "name" "datadir" "mountPath" "/var/lib/redpanda/data")))) -}}
diff --git a/charts/redpanda/statefulset.go b/charts/redpanda/statefulset.go
index 06c627c23..e42e53376 100644
--- a/charts/redpanda/statefulset.go
+++ b/charts/redpanda/statefulset.go
@@ -382,6 +382,10 @@ func statefulSetInitContainerTuning(state *RenderState) *corev1.Container {
 				Name:      "base-config",
 				MountPath: "/etc/redpanda",
 			},
+			corev1.VolumeMount{
+				Name:      `datadir`,
+				MountPath: `/var/lib/redpanda/data`,
+			},
 		),
 	}
 }
diff --git a/charts/redpanda/testdata/template-cases.golden.txtar b/charts/redpanda/testdata/template-cases.golden.txtar
index 12bd32011..d773165fc 100644
--- a/charts/redpanda/testdata/template-cases.golden.txtar
+++ b/charts/redpanda/testdata/template-cases.golden.txtar
@@ -977,6 +977,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -2260,6 +2262,8 @@ spec:
         volumeMounts:
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -3421,6 +3425,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -4775,6 +4781,8 @@ spec:
           readOnly: true
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -6050,6 +6058,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -7538,6 +7548,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -9044,6 +9056,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -10453,6 +10467,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -11862,6 +11878,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -13364,6 +13382,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -14805,6 +14825,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -16218,6 +16240,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -17437,6 +17461,8 @@ spec:
         volumeMounts:
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -18663,6 +18689,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -20103,6 +20131,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -21515,6 +21545,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -22924,6 +22956,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -24386,6 +24420,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -25864,6 +25900,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -27342,6 +27380,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -28772,6 +28812,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -30251,6 +30293,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -31747,6 +31791,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -33243,6 +33289,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -34692,6 +34740,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -36188,6 +36238,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -37684,6 +37736,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -39180,6 +39234,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -40629,6 +40685,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -42074,6 +42132,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -43484,6 +43544,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -44893,6 +44955,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -46390,6 +46454,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -47805,6 +47871,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -49268,6 +49336,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -50718,6 +50788,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -52134,6 +52206,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -53582,6 +53656,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -55019,6 +55095,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -56255,6 +56333,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-kafka-internal-0-client-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -57806,6 +57886,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -59225,6 +59307,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -60717,6 +60801,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -62133,6 +62219,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -63574,6 +63662,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -65011,6 +65101,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -67800,6 +67892,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -69297,6 +69391,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -70762,6 +70858,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -72220,6 +72318,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -73678,6 +73778,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -75102,6 +75204,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -76560,6 +76664,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -78018,6 +78124,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -79430,6 +79538,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -80888,6 +80998,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -82346,6 +82458,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -83758,6 +83872,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -85216,6 +85332,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -86674,6 +86792,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -88086,6 +88206,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -89544,6 +89666,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -91002,6 +91126,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -92414,6 +92540,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -93872,6 +94000,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -95330,6 +95460,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -96742,6 +96874,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -97965,6 +98099,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-for-internal-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -99189,6 +99325,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -100700,6 +100838,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
         - mountPath: /fake/tuning
           name: test-extra-volume
       - command:
@@ -102269,6 +102409,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -103780,6 +103922,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -105296,6 +105440,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -106774,6 +106920,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-kafka-internal-0-client-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -108325,6 +108473,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -109734,6 +109884,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -111143,6 +111295,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -112565,6 +112719,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -114102,6 +114258,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/sh
         - -c
@@ -115569,6 +115727,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -117027,6 +117187,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -118485,6 +118647,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -119897,6 +120061,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -121355,6 +121521,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -122813,6 +122981,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -124232,6 +124402,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -125799,6 +125971,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-default-client-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
@@ -127030,6 +127204,8 @@ spec:
           name: redpanda-external-cert
         - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
           name: base-config
+        - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+          name: datadir
       - command:
         - /bin/bash
         - -c
diff --git a/operator/internal/lifecycle/testdata/cases.pools.golden.txtar b/operator/internal/lifecycle/testdata/cases.pools.golden.txtar
index e129e12f5..0e145c90d 100644
--- a/operator/internal/lifecycle/testdata/cases.pools.golden.txtar
+++ b/operator/internal/lifecycle/testdata/cases.pools.golden.txtar
@@ -217,6 +217,8 @@
             name: redpanda-external-cert
           - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
             name: base-config
+          - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+            name: datadir
         - command:
           - /bin/bash
           - -c
@@ -1348,6 +1350,8 @@
             name: redpanda-external-cert
           - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
             name: base-config
+          - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+            name: datadir
         - command:
           - /bin/bash
           - -c
@@ -1704,6 +1708,8 @@
             name: redpanda-external-cert
           - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
             name: base-config
+          - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+            name: datadir
         - command:
           - /bin/bash
           - -c
@@ -2059,6 +2065,8 @@
             name: redpanda-external-cert
           - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
             name: base-config
+          - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+            name: datadir
         - command:
           - /bin/bash
           - -c
@@ -2414,6 +2422,8 @@
             name: redpanda-external-cert
           - mountPath: /etc/redpanda
             name: base-config
+          - mountPath: /var/lib/redpanda/data
+            name: datadir
         - command:
           - /bin/bash
           - -c