Australia and Canada Sign $2.5B Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar Deal
On June 22, 2026, Australia and Canada signed a $2.5 billion agreement for BAE Systems Australia to export the Jindalee over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) system to Canada, marking Australia's largest defense export. The Arctic OTHR will detect aircraft and ships up to 3,000 km away, enhancing Canada's Arctic surveillance amid Russian military expansion and melting sea ice. Initial operational capability is targeted for December 2029, supporting NORAD modernization and Five-Eyes situational awareness.
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Australia, Canada sign $1.75B agreement for Over the Horizon Radar system
Australia and Canada have signed a $1.75 billion agreement to collaborate on an Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) system. The deal, reported by Breaking Defense, aims to enhance long-range surveillance capabilities for both nations, allowing detection of objects beyond the horizon using advanced radar technology. The system is expected to bolster defense and maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region and Arctic, reflecting growing strategic cooperation between the two countries. The radar system's development will involve joint research, technology sharing, and potential deployment, marking a significant step in defense partnership.
"site:breakingdefense.com" - Google NewsAustralia Signs Record $1.75bn Radar Export Deal with Canada for Arctic Surveillance
Australia has signed its largest defence export contract, a A$2.5bn ($1.75bn) deal to provide Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) technology to Canada for its Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) programme. The contract was formalized in Canberra on 22 June 2026 by Canada's Secretary of State Fuhr and Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. BAE Systems Australia will lead the industrial effort, working with Canadian partners to develop domestic expertise. The radar system, based on the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), can detect aircraft, ships, and missiles at distances of 1,000 to 3,000 km. Canada plans to use it to boost surveillance of northern and Arctic airspace and maritime approaches, supporting NORAD continental defence. Canada announced in March 2025 it would invest over CAD$6bn in the project, expected to contribute $290m per year to GDP and support 2,270 jobs annually from 2026 to 2033.
Airforce TechnologyAustralia Secures Record $1.75bn Radar Export Deal with Canada
Australia has signed its largest defence export contract, a A$2.5bn ($1.75bn) deal to supply Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) technology to Canada. The contract was signed in Canberra on 22 June 2026 by Canada's Secretary of State Fuhr and Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. The radar, based on Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), will be integrated into Canada's Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) programme to enhance surveillance of northern and Arctic airspace and maritime approaches. BAE Systems Australia will lead the industrial effort with Canadian partners, targeting initial operational capability by December 2029. Canada announced over CAD$6bn in total investment for the A-OTHR project, expected to contribute $290m annually to GDP and support 2,270 jobs per year from 2026 to 2033. The deal strengthens Arctic sovereignty and continental defence through NORAD.
Airforce TechnologyAustralia signs record A$2.5 billion radar export deal with Canada
Australia has signed its largest ever defence export contract, worth A$2.5 billion ($1.75 billion), to supply Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) technology to Canada. The contract was formally signed in Canberra on 22 June 2026 by Canada’s Secretary of State Fuhr and Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles. The radar system, based on Australia’s Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), will be integrated into Canada’s Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) programme to enhance surveillance of northern and Arctic airspace and maritime approaches. BAE Systems Australia will lead the industrial effort, with work starting 1 July 2026. Initial operational capability is targeted for December 2029. Canada has committed over CAD$6 billion to the A-OTHR project, expecting it to contribute $290 million annually to GDP and support 2,270 jobs per year from 2026 to 2033. The system can detect aircraft, ships, and missiles at distances of 1,000 to 3,000 km.
Airforce TechnologyAustralia Exports Over-the-Horizon Radar to Canada for Arctic Surveillance
The Australian and Canadian governments have announced a $2.5 billion export agreement for Australia's High Frequency Surveillance capability to establish an Arctic over-the-horizon radar (A-OTHR) system in Canada. BAE Systems Australia will serve as the industry partner. The system, derived from Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), uses ionospheric refraction to detect and track objects thousands of kilometers beyond the horizon, addressing a strategic gap in Arctic and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) surveillance. BAE Systems Australia CEO Craig Lockhart highlighted the commercial and strategic benefits for both nations, including enhanced Five-Eyes situational awareness and opportunities for deeper bilateral defence collaboration. The system also supports border protection, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations.
UK Defence JournalAustralia exports over-the-horizon radar to Canada
The Australian and Canadian governments announced an export agreement for Australia's High Frequency Surveillance capability to establish an Arctic over-the-horizon radar (A-OTHR) system in Canada. Valued at $2.5 billion, it is described as Australia's largest ever defense export. BAE Systems Australia will serve as the industry partner. The radar system, based on technology from Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves refracted off the ionosphere to detect and track objects thousands of kilometers beyond the horizon, addressing a strategic surveillance gap in the Arctic. The deal also supports modernizing North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) warning systems and strengthens Five-Eyes situational awareness. Craig Lockhart, CEO of BAE Systems Australia, highlighted the commercial and strategic benefits for both nations.
UK Defence JournalAustralia Sells Jindalee Over-the-Horizon Radar to Canada in $2.5 Billion Deal
Australia has sold its most closely guarded surveillance secret, the Jindalee over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) technology, to Canada in a historic $2.5 billion deal signed on June 22, 2026. This marks the first international export of the JORN network technology and Australia's largest single defense export. The agreement, signed by Canadian and Australian defense officials, commits BAE Systems Australia to deliver an Arctic over-the-horizon radar system (A-OTHR) with an initial operational capability target of December 2029. The OTHR technology, which bounces radio waves off the ionosphere to detect aircraft and ships up to 3,000 km away, will provide Canada with critical surveillance over its Arctic approaches, addressing a long-identified surveillance gap amid increased Russian military activity and melting sea ice. The system will form part of Canada's contribution to NORAD modernization. BAE Systems Australia brings over 40 years of accumulated OTHR expertise to the project.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsAustralia and Canada Sign $2.5B Deal for Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar Export
On June 22, 2026, Australia and Canada signed a $2.5 billion agreement for BAE Systems Australia to deliver an Arctic over-the-horizon radar (A-OTHR) system to Canada, marking Australia's largest-ever defense export and the first international sale of its Jindalee OTHR technology. The radar, which bounces radio waves off the ionosphere to detect aircraft and ships at ranges up to 3,000 km, will help Canada monitor its Arctic approaches as Russia expands military infrastructure and melting sea ice opens new routes. Canada targets initial operational capability by December 2029, with a second Polar OTHR system planned for the far north. The deal supports NORAD modernization and addresses a critical surveillance gap flagged by defense experts.
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