Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to strengthen Canada’s military presence in the Arctic with expanded year-round operations and a new Australian-developed radar system to detect incoming missiles.
The move follows pressure from President Trump for Canada to boost its defense spending, along with his repeated remarks about making Canada the 51st state. Trump has also reportedly questioned the future of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the joint defense partnership between the U.S. and Canada.
Carney said the initiatives will enhance Arctic security, reinforce partnerships with Indigenous communities and allies, and help “unleash the North’s full economic potential.”
Canada previously unveiled a C$38.6 billion ($27 billion) plan to modernize NORAD in 2022, which included funding for advanced radar systems. The government has now selected an Australian partnership to develop the over-the-horizon radar technology at a cost of C$6 billion over 20 years.
A Canadian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. military supports the decision to go with the Australian system. The official noted that the technology has a smaller physical footprint than the American-built alternative and can be implemented more quickly.
Carney also announced C$420 million in new funding to expand the military’s Arctic presence, which will include deploying additional personnel and increasing operations and training exercises in the region.
