Canada and Australia finalize Arctic radar partnership
Over-the-horizon system set to launch December 2029; Canada committing more than $6 billion to detect northern threats.
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Canada and Australia have agreed on terms for Ottawa to purchase components of an Arctic over-the-horizon radar system from BAE Systems Australia, formalizing a major defence partnership.
Stephen Fuhr, Canada's secretary of state for defence procurement, and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the agreement in Canberra on June 22. Work on the new capability is set to begin on July 1.
Canada has committed to spend more than $6 billion developing the new radar system in the Far North, which is set to begin operation in December 2029. The radar will give Canada the ability to detect threats in the air and on the ocean, and provide early-warning tracking throughout the North. BAE Systems, which built an over-the-horizon radar system in Australia, will work with Canadian companies to develop the Canadian system.
The Canadian government is committed to spending $2.5 billion on the capability through this deal with Australia. The radar system will be located in Southern Ontario, at two transmission sites and two receiving sites near Barrie and Kawartha Lakes. The Department of National Defence purchased land in the area, sparking controversy and petitions from local landowners.
In May, Defence Minister David McGuinty's office said the location requirements for the project were inflexible and the sites were chosen after assessing hundreds of options. Over-the-horizon radar is expected to be fully operational in 2043. It is considered a key component of the Norad modernization program, announced in 2022, which is expected to cost $38.6 billion over 20 years.
