Canada boosts Arctic sovereignty with £3.6bn radar investment

Canada and Australia will invest in a long-range radar system in the Arctic, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney informed. In his view, Canada is increasing investments in both military and civilian areas in the Arctic, highlighting its sovereignty over this territory.

During a press conference in Iqaluit, the capital of the Nunavut territory, Carney emphasised that "we must invest in Canada's north to defend our sovereignty." He added that Canada intends to protect its territories in the northern part of the country while also wanting to utilise the development potential of these areas.

The federal government will allocate over £3.6 billion to the long-range radar system construction project. The construction will be financed from a 23.9 billion pounds budget for NORAD modernisation (North American Aerospace Defence Command), announced in 2022. At the same time, £157 million will be spent on civilian infrastructure in the Arctic, including energy and housing, and 260 million pounds on defence and increased military presence.

Carney added that earlier on Tuesday, he confirmed in a conversation with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese the intentions for a joint radar system project. He explained that after preparations which have been ongoing for some time, decisions are now being made swiftly.

Albanese wrote on platform X that both leaders confirmed "Australia and Canada’s deep friendship and our commitment to a world where all countries can cooperate, trade and thrive" while announcing further strengthening of cooperation between the two nations.

NORAD is an organisation created by the USA and Canada in 1958. Its purpose is to protect the airspace over North America, also dealing with issues such as cyber threats. The chief of command is jointly appointed by the US President and the Canadian Prime Minister, with Canada covering 40% of the expenses. Carney emphasised that the construction of the radar system will bolster Canada's capabilities within NORAD, while at the same time, Canada remains in control of its own territory.

He noted that the situation in the world is changing and "our adversaries feel emboldened," and the values upheld by Canada will be challenged, with changes also happening in the USA. However, "Canada is and forever will be an Arctic nation", Carney stressed.

In response to journalists' questions about the USA's plans concerning the Arctic and the questioning of Canadian sovereignty over the Northwest Passage, which may become navigable due to climate change, Carney emphasised that "The Northwest Passage is Canadian sovereign waters, and we first and foremost need to take steps to assert that sovereignty."

When asked about an upcoming conversation with President Donald Trump, Carney said that Canada talks with the USA as two independent countries, highlighting the alignment of many goals, from solving the fentanyl problem to ensuring job returns.

However, when pressed about the "more positive" tone of his statements regarding the USA and potential reduction of retaliatory tariffs, Carney said that he wouldn't necessarily use that characterisation. "Canada is strong and will become even stronger," he said, emphasising that the country can offer itself much more "than other countries would like to take from it." He described Canada's position in the talks as a "position of strength."

The Canadian Arctic makes up about 40% of Canada's entire territory, and more than 70% of Canada's coastline runs through it. As stated by Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, Canadian identity has been primarily shaped by the Arctic. He also noted the close ties between the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, which belongs to Denmark.