The Australian Government has signed an agreement with the Government of Canada to export an Australian Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) system.
This is the first international sale of the OTHR capability, with the agreement being worth $2.5 billion.
In March 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had announced his country’s intensions to acquire an OTHR Network through a partnership with Australia.
“A key component of Canada’s NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence Command) modernization plan, the radar system’s long-range surveillance and threat tracking capabilities will detect and deter threats across the North,” Prime Minister Carney said at the time.
“Collaboration with Australia on this critical technology will further deepen our long-standing bilateral defence relationship, while supporting Canada’s commitment to strengthening North American defences in partnership with the United States.”
Canada’s version of the capability will be the Arctic OTHR system (A-OTHR) and will provide early warning radar coverage from threats to the Arctic.
The Department of Defence and the Canadian Department of National Defence have collaborated on developing requirements for the A-OTHR system. This commitment was reaffirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Carney in March 2026.
“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.”
The Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) is an Australian-designed and built system which provides wide-area surveillance of ships and aircraft out to 3000 kilometres.
It is now in its fourth decade of service and has continuously been updated through the Phase 6 upgrade being undertaken by BAE Systems Australia and 110 local companies. This upgrade aims to extend the system’s use until at least 2040.
“This is the biggest defence export agreement in Australia’s history, which reflects our close and long-standing friendship with Canada,” Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, stated.
“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.”
JORN, otherwise known as the Jindalee OTHR, has an established network of three remote OTHRs located in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. It is an integral part of Australia's national defence capability.
According to BAE Systems, JORN 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.
“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,” Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, highlighted.
“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 agreement has also established a framework for joint research and development (R&D) to evolve OTHR capabilities for the countries’ mutual benefit.
Industry partner BAE Systems is set to commence delivery of Canada’s A‑OTHR capability on 1 July 2026.