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Australia and Canada sign $1.75 billion radar export deal
Australia and Canada signed a $1.75 billion agreement on Monday to build an Australian-designed long-range radar system in Canada. The deal covers the first phase of an over-the-horizon radar network extending from the Canada-U.S. border into the Arctic.
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Australia and Canada signed a $1.75 billion export agreement on Monday to build an Australian-designed long-range radar system in Canada. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Canadian Secretary of State (Defense Procurement) Stephen Fuhr signed the first phase of a pact to provide early warning radar coverage from the Canada-United States border into the Arctic.
Radar technology and timeline The Australian system, developed over 40 years, works by refracting high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere to detect distant objects that are invisible to conventional radars because of Earth's curvature. BAE Systems Australia said in a statement it will support both governments in developing the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar.
Strategic context Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he had chosen Australia's radar system over comparable U.S. technology shortly after he came to power last year. In March, Carney became the first Canadian prime minister to visit Australia in 12 years.
During the visit, Carney and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese agreed to increase cooperation on defense technologies, artificial intelligence and critical minerals. The deal is Australia's largest ever defense export. Australia's previous record defense export was a $700 million deal signed in 2024 to provide Germany with 100 Australian-made Boxer heavy weapon carrier vehicles.
