Australia will collaborate on developing Canada’s Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar, or A-OTHR, system under a technology partnership agreement that the countries’ defense officials entered into in June. The Canadian Department of National Defence said A-OTHR is a key element in Canada’s modernization program for the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
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Continent-Wide Security
A-OTHR is envisioned as an advanced early warning system for faster detection of airborne threats that would enable rapid decision-making. It is geared for a long-range surveillance capability that would cover Canadian and continent-wide security.
Gen. Jennie Carignan, DND chief of the Defence Staff, described A-OTHR as a “vital step” toward a stronger territorial defense capability and asserting Canadian sovereignty in the North.
“By significantly enhancing long-range detection and domain awareness, this capability will ensure the Canadian Armed Forces and NORAD remain prepared to address emerging threats and safeguard our nation and continent,” she said.
According to DND, the Canadian government plans to invest about $28.1 billion in NORAD modernization over the next 20 years. It said a 163-hectare site in the northern part of Thistle Trail near Bexley Township in Kawartha Lakes has been acquired as a permanent A-OTHR transmit site. DND also identified a 288-hectare preliminary receive site in Clearview Township. The radar system’s first stage is expected to provide initial capability to CAF by the end of 2029.
Radar Network Sharing
Australia is bringing its Jindalee Operational Radar Network, or JORN, into the A-OTHR Canadian partnership, according to an Australian Department of Defence statement Friday. The technology is designed for the detection and tracking of aircraft and marine vessels. The department noted that sharing the radar network with Canada opens a potential opportunity for the Australian defense sector.
The high-frequency, skywave JORN system is designed to operate in the 1,000-to-3,000-kilometer range and is currently deployed in the Australian Defence Force’s air and maritime missions for border protection, disaster relief and rescue efforts.