Australia sells advanced radar technology to Canada

Australia said on Monday it will sell advanced radar technology capable of detecting long-range missiles to Canada under a A$2.5 billion ($1.75 billion) agreement, the country's largest-ever defence export deal.



The agreement is Australia's first overseas sale of the radar, known as Over-the-Horizon Radar technology, and will support Canada's surveillance of the Arctic region.



"Today's agreement marks a significant milestone in Australian defence trade and lays the foundation for deeper and mutually beneficial defence industry collaboration with Canada," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.



Canada's Arctic region represents about 40% of its total landmass, though it is sparsely populated and has little infrastructure. Much of Russia's Arctic area, which is about a fifth of its landmass, faces Canada and the U.S. state of Alaska.



"Canada is reinforcing Arctic security through the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar project," said Stephen Fuhr, Canada's secretary of state for defence procurement.



"This project is part of a broader effort to build an integrated Arctic surveillance and communications network that will strengthen Canada's ability to monitor, understand and respond to activity in the Arctic."