Australia Sells Advanced Military Radar System to Canada in Record US$1.8 Billion Deal

Australia has signed a record US$1.8 billion deal to export its world-leading military radar system to Canada, marking the nation's largest defence export in history. The advanced over-the-horizon radar will help Canada monitor its vast Arctic territory and strengthen security ties between the two Five Eyes partners.

Australia just proved it can build defence technology the world wants. The government has signed a landmark US$1.8 billion agreement to sell its advanced over-the-horizon radar system to Canada, the largest defence export in Australian history.

The military radar system is based on Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network, a 40-year-old technology that provides up to 3,000 kilometres of surveillance coverage over Australia's northern approaches. The system works by refracting high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere to detect distant objects invisible to conventional radar because of Earth's curvature.

This is not just a sale. It is an endorsement. A Five Eyes partner with decades of shared intelligence experience chose Australian technology over comparable U.S. systems. When Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney needed to secure the Arctic, he called Canberra, not Washington.

The agreement, signed by Defence Minister Richard Marles and Canadian Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr, covers the first stage of Canada's Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar capability. The system will provide surveillance from the Canada-U.S. border into the Arctic. A second polar system is planned for the Far North, with locations remaining classified.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his choice of Australia's military radar system shortly after taking office in March 2026, making a historic visit to Australia. The decision marked a significant shift in Canada's defence procurement, signalling a willingness to broaden partnerships beyond traditional reliance on the United States.

Defence Minister Richard Marles described the sale as "far and away the largest defence export that we have ever done." Australia and Canada have always been the very best of friends, but really, with what we have signed today, there is now a very significant strategic dimension to the relationship," he said.

As the two Five Eyes partners deepen their defence industrial ties, both countries stand to benefit. Australia secures its place as a global leader in military radar system technology. Canada gains a cutting-edge surveillance capability to protect the Arctic. And the $1.8 billion deal sends a clear signal that Australia's defence technology is ready for the global stage.

As Australia sells its advanced military radar system to Canada in a record US$1.8 billion deal, The Silicon Review examines how this agreement positions Australia as a serious player in the global defence technology market.

FAQ:

Q: How much is the Australian military radar system deal with Canada worth?
A: The military radar system deal is worth US$1.8 billion (A$2.5 billion), making it Australia's largest defence export ever.

Q: What is the military radar system Australia is selling to Canada?
A: Australia is selling an advanced over-the-horizon radar system that refracts high-frequency waves off the ionosphere to detect distant objects invisible to conventional radar.

Q: Which company is delivering the military radar system to Canada?
A: BAE Systems Australia will commence delivery of the military radar system on July 1, 2026.

Q: How will Canada use the military radar system?
A: Canada will use the military radar system to monitor the Arctic, providing surveillance from the U.S.-Canada border into the Far North.

Q: How many jobs will the military radar system deal create?
A: The military radar system deal will support approximately 300 technical jobs in Australia and create nearly 2,300 jobs annually in Canada over five years.

Q: Is this the first time Australia has sold the military radar system overseas?
A: Yes, this is the first international sale of Australia's advanced radar technology.