Canada has agreed to purchase an Arctic over-the-horizon radar system based on Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) in a deal worth A$2.5bn (roughly US$1.75bn), marking Australia's largest-ever defence export. The radar, capable of surveillance at ranges of 1,000–3,000 km by bouncing signals off the ionosphere, will be used to monitor the Arctic for aircraft and missiles as part of Canada's C$38.6bn NORAD modernisation programme. BAE Systems Australia is the prime contractor and has committed to building the system locally in Canada, with construction expected to create thousands of jobs through the early 2030s. The deal reflects growing strategic alignment between Australia and Canada, and highlights that some of the most valuable defence technology is decades old rather than cutting-edge software or space-based.
