Canada boosts Arctic defense with £3.7bn radar investment

Canada and Australia will invest in a long-range radar system in the Arctic, announced Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. According to him, Canada is increasing investments in the Arctic, both military and civilian, emphasising its sovereignty over this territory.

During a press conference in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut territory, Carney stated that "Arctic sovereignty is a strategic priority of our government." He added that Canada intends to protect its territories in the north of the country while also wanting to explore the potential for development in these areas.

The federal government will allocate more than £3.3 billion to the project to build a long-range radar system. The construction will be funded from the £24.6 billion budget for modernising NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), announced in 2022. At the same time, approximately £150 million will be spent on civilian infrastructure in the Arctic, including energy and housing, and more than £245 million 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 of the joint radar system project. He explained that after preparations have been ongoing for some time, decisions are now being made quickly.

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

NORAD is an organisation created by the USA and Canada in 1958. Its purpose is to protect airspace over North America and also deals with, for example, cyber threats. The head of the command is jointly appointed by the U.S. President and the Canadian Prime Minister, with Canada covering 40 per cent of the expenses. Carney emphasised that the construction of the radar system will enhance Canada's capabilities within NORAD, but simultaneously, Canada remains in control of its own territory.

He noted that the situation in the world is changing and "our adversaries are increasingly emboldened," while the values upheld by Canada will be challenged, and the situation in the USA is also changing. However, "Canada is and forever will be an Arctic nation," Carney emphasised.

Responding to journalists' questions about the USA's plans for the Arctic and the questioning of Canadian sovereignty over the Northwest Passage area, which may become favourable for navigation due to climate change, Carney stressed that the Northwest Passage is Canadian waters, and the government must take steps to strengthen sovereignty there.

When asked about a future conversation with President Donald Trump, Carney said that Canada talks with the USA as two independent countries and noted the alignment of many goals, from eliminating the fentanyl issue to ensuring job creation and restoring jobs.

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

The Canadian Arctic comprises about 40 per cent of Canada's entire territory, and over 70 per cent of Canada's coastline runs through it. As highlighted by Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, Canadian identity has been largely shaped by the Arctic. He also noted the close ties between Canada's Arctic and Danish-owned Greenland.