Australia Sells A$2.5 billion Over the Horizon Radar to Canada

The Australian Government has concluded the nation’s largest ever defence export, with the signing of a government-to-government deal with Canada to export an Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) system.

This A$2.5 billion agreement marks the first international sale of Australia’s world-leading OTHR technology, building on the success of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN).

Australia’s Department of Defence has worked with the Canadian Department of National Defence to develop requirements for Canada’s Arctic-Over the Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) capability, with the commitment to collaborate on this technology reaffirmed by Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Carney in March 2026.

“The agreement signed Tuesday will further strengthen interoperability and also establish a framework for joint research and development to advance OTHR capabilities for mutual benefit.

Together with industry partner BAE Systems Australia is set to commence delivery of Canada’s A‑OTHR capability on 1 July 2026,” an Australian MoD statement said.

BAE Systems Australia commented:

The Australian solution for A-OTHR is built on a mature, high-performance OTHR capability that delivers enhanced detection and tracking of threats to security, building on more than 40 years of expertise and innovation.

An OTHR capability works by refracting high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere to 'see' objects thousands of kilometres away that are invisible to conventional radars because of the curvature of the earth.

BAE Systems Australia has demonstrated experience in the full lifecycle support of complex OTHR capabilities, including the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), which plays a vital role in supporting the Australian Defence Force (ADF), border protection, disaster relief and rescue operations.