Canada signs $1.75B deal with Australia for Arctic over-the-horizon radar
Canada has signed four agreements worth US$1.75 billion with Australia to acquire the Arctic Over-The-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, based on Australia’s JORN technology. The system uses high-frequency signals bounced off the ionosphere to detect aircraft and missiles beyond line-of-sight, filling critical surveillance gaps in NORAD’s Arctic coverage. BAE Systems Australia will transfer technology for Canada to build its own radar sites, positioned to mitigate polar distortion, with potential future expansion for trans-polar coverage deep into Russia.
Editorial summary awaiting refresh
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Canada to plug surveillance gaps with Aussie over-the-horizon radar
Canada has signed four agreements with Australia to acquire the Arctic Over-The-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, a deal worth approximately US$1.75 billion to Australia. The system, based on Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), will help fill critical surveillance gaps in NORAD's Arctic airspace coverage. Unlike traditional line-of-sight radars, OTHR bounces high-frequency signals off the ionosphere to detect aircraft and missiles at long range, including low-flying targets that could evade the North Warning System. BAE Systems Australia will transfer technology and expertise for Canada to build its own radar sites. The radar facilities will be positioned as far south as possible to mitigate polar ionospheric distortion, with potential future expansion for trans-polar coverage deep into Russia. The deal marks a transition from planning to delivery phase for Canada's A-OTHR program.
C4ISRNetCanada to plug surveillance gaps with Australian over-the-horizon radar
Canada has signed a US$1.75 billion deal with Australia to acquire the Arctic Over-The-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, aimed at filling critical surveillance gaps in NORAD's airspace coverage. The system, based on Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), uses high-frequency signals bounced off the ionosphere to detect aircraft and missiles beyond line-of-sight, overcoming limitations of existing North Warning System radars. BAE Systems Australia will transfer technology for Canada to build its own radar sites. The radar will be positioned as far south as possible to mitigate polar magnetic interference, with potential future expansion for trans-polar coverage to monitor Russian strategic bombers and ballistic missiles. Experts estimate five to six installations may be needed for 360-degree coverage across North America.
Defense NewsCanada to plug surveillance gaps with Aussie over-the-horizon radar
Canada has signed four agreements worth US$1.75 billion with Australia to acquire the Arctic Over-The-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, aimed at filling critical surveillance gaps in NORAD's Arctic airspace coverage. The system, based on Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) technology, uses high-frequency signals bounced off the ionosphere to detect aircraft and missiles beyond the line of sight, overcoming limitations of traditional microwave radars. BAE Systems Australia will transfer technology and expertise for Canada to build its own radar sites. The radar facilities will be positioned as far south as possible to mitigate polar magnetic interference, with potential future expansion for trans-polar coverage deep into Russia. Experts estimate five to six installations would be needed for 360-degree coverage across North America.
Defense NewsCanada to plug surveillance gaps with Aussie over-the-horizon radar
Canada has signed four agreements worth US$1.75 billion with Australia to acquire the Arctic Over-The-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, aimed at filling critical surveillance gaps in NORAD's airspace coverage. The system, based on Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), uses high-frequency signals bounced off the ionosphere to detect aircraft and missiles beyond the line of sight, overcoming limitations of existing North Warning System radars. BAE Systems Australia will transfer technology for Canada to build its own radar sites. The radar will be positioned as far south as possible to mitigate polar distortion, with potential future expansion for trans-polar coverage deep into Russia. Experts estimate five to six installations would be needed for 360-degree coverage across North America.
C4ISRNetCanada to plug surveillance gaps with Aussie over-the-horizon radar
Canada has signed four agreements worth US$1.75 billion with Australia to acquire the Arctic Over-The-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, aimed at filling critical surveillance gaps in NORAD's Arctic airspace coverage. The system, based on Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), uses high-frequency signals bounced off the ionosphere to detect aircraft and missiles beyond the horizon, overcoming limitations of traditional line-of-sight radars. BAE Systems Australia will transfer technology for Canada to build its own radar sites. The deal addresses concerns that adversaries could fly undetected through gaps in the current North Warning System. Technical challenges include operating in high-latitude and polar regions with magnetic field interference, requiring radar sites to be placed as far south as possible initially, with potential future expansion for trans-polar coverage deep into Russia. The number of Canadian radar sites remains unclear, but analysts suggest five or six installations could provide 360-degree coverage for NORAD.
C4ISRNetCanada to plug surveillance gaps with Australian over-the-horizon radar
Canada has signed a US$1.75 billion deal with Australia to acquire the Arctic Over-The-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, aimed at filling critical surveillance gaps in NORAD's airspace coverage. The system, based on Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), uses high-frequency signals bounced off the ionosphere to detect aircraft and missiles beyond the line of sight, overcoming limitations of traditional microwave radars. BAE Systems Australia will transfer technology for Canada to build its own radar sites. The radar will be positioned as far south as possible to mitigate polar distortion, with potential future expansion for trans-polar coverage deep into Russia. Experts note the system addresses vulnerabilities where aircraft could fly undetected between existing radar stations.
Defense News