Defence Minister Richard Marles will on Monday sign a multibillion-dollar contract with Canada to export Australia’s leading radar technology JORN.
Now in its fourth decade of service, the high-frequency, sky-wave, over-the-horizon system is considered the most advanced in the world, providing surveillance of ships and aircraft out to 3000km.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney flagged the deal in March 2025, which is believed to be Australia’s largest ever military export and worth more than $6.5 billion.
The Nightly has confirmed Canadian Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr has flown into Canberra for the signing.
Defence industry and diplomatic sources say Mr Marles’ direct Canadian counterpart David J. McGuinty was supposed to come to Australia for the occasion but had to cancel his trip at the last moment.
Earlier in June, Mr Marles was stood up by his British counterpart John Healey who resigned just hours before the pair were due to meet in the UK.
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