Canadian leaders have announced a C$6 billion (US$4.2 billion) deal with Australia to develop the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) Arctic radar system.
The move utilises Australia’s “over-the-horizon” technology and replaces the Cold War-era North Warning System, which is no longer capable of countering modern missile threats.
In his first major move as prime minister, Mark Carney announced said the move signified Canada’s shifting priorities.
“Now more than ever, we need to reaffirm Canadian sovereignty by strengthening our military, bolstering our Arctic security, and unleashing the North’s economic potential,” Carney said in a statement.
What Makes JORN Unique?
Carney’s office described the JORN system as critical for detecting long-range surveillance and deterrence across Canada’s northern frontier.It is regarded as the world’s most sophisticated system and allows for surveillance of ships and aircraft at distances of up to 3,000 kilometres.
In contrast to conventional radar, which are restricted by line of sight, Australian researchers developed JORN to direct a high-frequency radio signal upwards to the ionosphere, where it bounces back down to detect targets.
It is believed senior Australian officials have been in discussions about exporting the cutting-edge JORN to the United States for some time.
The deal also includes an additional C$420 million investment by Ottawa to expand its year-round military presence in the Arctic.
Australia’s Role in Global Defence Innovation
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the deal, highlighting Australia’s role in global defence innovation.“This is a world-leading technology. Australians are smart. We’re good at innovation. We want a future made in Australia, and we want to export wherever possible,” Albanese said.
He noted that Canada’s interest in Australian radar technology reflects the country’s growing reputation as a defence exporter.
Albanese also pointed to Australia’s broader trade diversification efforts, citing strengthened economic ties with ASEAN, a free trade agreement with the UAE, and a restored trading relationship with China.
“It’s important that we develop that diverse series of relationships, and Canada is a very important one,” he added.
When asked about Trump’s role in Canada’s shift, Albanese sidestepped the question, saying, “We spoke about our relationship between Australia and Canada. That’s an important one.”
He later added, “There are issues taking place, particularly between Canada and the United States, that I wouldn’t have expected to have been happening in my lifetime.”
Canada is being forced to rethink its domestic and foreign policies as trade tensions with the Trump administration continue.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s has implemented a range of tariffs aimed at protecting and redeveloping the United States’ domestic industries, while at the same time, applying pressure to fellow governments to take actions on issues the administration deems critical.
Most recently, the Trump administration imposed 25 percent tariffs on aluminium and steel imports—a move that has prompted Canada to impose retaliatory trade duties on U.S. goods worth $21 billion.
Canada supplies 80 percent of the U.S.’s aluminium and is its largest source of steel.
