The agreement marks the first international sale of Australia’s world-leading Over the Horizon Radar technology. It builds on the proven success of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network and is expected to support hundreds of Australian industry jobs.
Australia’s Department of Defence worked with Canada’s Department of National Defence to develop requirements for Canada’s Arctic-Over the Horizon Radar capability. The commitment to collaborate on the technology was reaffirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Mark Carney in March 2026.
BAE Systems Australia will support both governments as the industry partner for the Arctic-Over the Horizon Radar programme. The company said the Australian solution is based on a mature, high-performance capability that supports enhanced detection and tracking of security threats.
Over the Horizon Radar works by refracting high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere. This allows it to see objects thousands of kilometres away that are invisible to conventional radars because of the curvature of the Earth.
BAE Systems Australia has experience across the full lifecycle support of complex Over the Horizon Radar capabilities. This includes the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, which supports the Australian Defence Force, border protection, disaster relief and rescue operations.
The agreement combines Australia’s recognised expertise in Over the Horizon Radar with Canada’s leadership in Arctic defence and long-range domain awareness. The government said it reflects shared strategic interests and will strengthen interoperability between trusted partners.
The arrangement also creates a framework for joint research and development to advance Over the Horizon Radar capabilities for mutual benefit. Working together on these systems is expected to support early warning and surveillance in the Indo-Pacific and North Atlantic.
The project is expected to support about 300 high-value technical jobs in Australia. BAE Systems Australia is set to begin delivery of Canada’s Arctic-Over the Horizon Radar capability on 1 July 2026.
BAE Systems Australia said it stands ready to support rapid delivery of operational capability to Canada. The company cited its experienced workforce in the installation, operation, upgrade and sustainment of complex Over the Horizon Radar systems.
The announcement marks the first stage of broader Australia-Canada collaboration on Arctic-Over the Horizon Radar. Both nations are committed to exploring further joint development opportunities, deepening defence industrial ties and building an enduring partnership.
“Australia is a world leader in Over the Horizon Radar technology, and this agreement showcases Australian innovation,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. “As close friends and valued partners, Australia and Canada’s relationship is grounded in decades of operational cooperation, shared strategic interests, and deep collaboration through the Five Eyes partnership.”
“Today’s agreement marks a significant milestone in Australian defence trade and lays the foundation for deeper and mutually beneficial defence industry collaboration with Canada,” Albanese said. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the agreement reflected Australia’s close and long-standing friendship with Canada.
“This is the biggest defence export agreement in Australia’s history, which reflects our close and long-standing friendship with Canada,” Marles said. “In an increasingly complex strategic environment, Australia and Canada are committed to working together to grow our defence relationship and this initiative is a clear demonstration of that enduring partnership in action.”
“This arrangement demonstrates Australia’s ability to export advanced, high-technology defence systems while safeguarding our national security, and enabling trusted partners to benefit from Australian innovation,” Marles said. Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the agreement was built on the success of JORN.
“The Jindalee Operational Radar Network is a great Aussie success story – world-leading technology that has led to the biggest defence export agreement in Australia’s history,” Conroy said. “The arrangement represents a powerful example of how defence exports support economic growth, build high-technology capability, and strengthen national resilience.”
“BAE Systems Australia, as the key industry partner, plays a central role in reinforcing Australia’s position as a global leader in OTHR technology. Today’s agreement directly supports the ongoing evolution and resilience of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN).”
The government said the agreement will drive industrial growth and innovation in both countries. BAE Systems Australia said the agreement enables deeper collaboration on Over the Horizon Radar capability development between Australia and Canada to meet emerging threats.
