Canada Picks First Sites for $38.6B Arctic Radar Network under NORAD Modernization

Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) has selected the first transmit and receive sites for its Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, part of a broader $38.6 billion NORAD modernization effort announced in 2022.

A permanent transmit site will be established on 163 hectares of vacant land near Thistle Trail in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario. A preliminary receive site has been identified on 288 hectares of agricultural land in Clearview Township, Ontario.

Initial work is expected to begin in winter 2026. The radar network is projected to achieve initial operational capability by the end of 2029, with four total sites planned—two for transmitting and two for receiving.

A-OTHR will extend Canada’s ability to detect and track airborne threats beyond the horizon by bouncing radar signals off the ionosphere, allowing coverage beyond the Earth’s curvature. The system will significantly improve situational awareness over Canada’s northern airspace.

The announcement comes weeks after Canada formalized a technology partnership with Australia to develop the A-OTHR system. The partnership leverages Australia's operational expertise with over-the-horizon radar and aims to strengthen Canada's sovereign defence industry and workforce.

Public consultations will be held virtually and in-person to share information and collect community input. The DND will also carry out environmental and site studies, including assessments of climate risks, wildlife, and land use, prior to beginning construction.

The A-OTHR system is a key component of Canada’s commitment to NORAD modernization, intended to enhance aerospace warning and control in collaboration with the United States.