Canada and Australia are developing a new radar system for the Arctic

Canada and Australia are developing a new radar system for the Arctic

Canada and Australia plan to develop a new military radar system together in the Arctic. This happens against the background of a worldwide interest in this region, as the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney explained, who warned that "opponents of Canada are increasingly encouraged".

investment in national security

"Our government will work with our long-standing defense and security partners, Australia, to develop a new long-distance radar system," said Carney at a press conference in Iqaluit. "This is an investment of over $ 6 billion in the most modern and most efficient radar system." He added that the new facility would enable Canada to recognize both air and maritime threats about the Arctic faster and from greater distance.

partnerships and defense infrastructure

"It will primarily protect all Canadians," continued Carney. Every new Canadian defense infrastructure in the Arctic must probably be compatible with Norad, an important defense pact between the USA and Canada. Carney emphasized: "Canada must be strong in our partnerships, especially in relation to Norad. Today's announcements will strengthen our commitment to Norad. We cannot and should not rely on others to defend our nation."

Expand presence in the Arctic

Carney also announced that his government would establish a "stronger, sustainable and year -round presence here in the Arctic". In addition, investments in the amount of 420 million Canadian dollars will be invested in order to protect the air and maritime territorial sovereignty of Canada. "Our opponents are increasingly encouraged," added Carney. "International institutions and norms that have offered Canada security are now being questioned. And the priorities of the United States, which once agreed closely with our own, begin to move."

competition in the Arctic

Only eight countries have territory in the strategically and ecologically sensitive Arctic: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. The competition for influence in this region is intensifying. Canada, which is currently in the middle of tensions with the United States, works with its southern neighbor in the area of security, but is disagreed with the question of Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic. Canada insists that the northwest passage is exclusively in the Canadian territory by the Arctic, while the United States insists on the fact that this sea route runs in international waters.

international developments