Australia and Canada sign a $1.75B deal to build long-range radar in Canada

Australia and Canada signed a $1.75 billion export agreement on Monday to build an Australian-designed long-range radar system in Canada. The first phase of the pact, signed in Canberra by Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Canadian Secretary of State (Defense Procurement) Stephen Fuhr, aims to deliver early warning radar coverage from the Canada-United States border into the Arctic. Marles said the initiative makes the two countries partners in the future development of Over-the-Horizon Radar, while Fuhr emphasized the strategic relationship between the British Commonwealth nations, both members of the Five Eyes alliance. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had selected Australia’s system over comparable U.S. technology soon after taking office, and he visited Australia in March where both governments agreed to increase cooperation on defense technologies, AI, and critical minerals. BAE Systems Australia said it will support both governments in developing the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar. The deal is Australia’s largest defense export, surpassing a prior $700 million agreement from 2024 to supply Germany with 100 Boxer heavy weapon carriers.