Canada signed a $2.5 billion agreement on 22 June 2026 with Australia and BAE Systems Australia to acquire the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system

Canada signed a $2.5 billion agreement on 22 June 2026 with Australia and BAE Systems Australia to acquire the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system

¨     Canada signed a $2.5 billion agreement on 22 June 2026 with Australia and BAE Systems Australia to acquire the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system.

¨     The project supports Canada’s NORAD modernisation programme and strengthens Arctic surveillance and defence.

¨     A-OTHR is a long-range radar system that uses high-frequency (HF) radio waves reflected from the ionosphere to detect objects beyond the line of sight.

¨     The system is designed to detect and monitor aircraft and missile threats over Canada’s Arctic and Far North.

¨     The technology is based on Australia’s Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), which serves as the foundation for the export version.

¨     The agreement was signed in Canberra.

¨     Signatories:Stephen Fuhr,Richard Marles

¨     The transmitting station will be located in the Kawartha Lakes region of southern Ontario.

¨     The receiving station will be located in Clearview Township, near Wasaga Beach.

¨     BAE Systems Australia will begin work on 1 July 2026.

¨     The radar system is expected to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by December 2029.

¨     The project is expected to create approximately 2,270 jobs annually in Canada between 2026 and 2033.