Highlights
- Canada acquires $4 billion over-the-horizon radar system from BAE Systems Australia for Arctic surveillance.
- The Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) relies on critical rare earth elements for advanced radar technology.
- The acquisition strengthens Western defense supply chains and reduces dependence on Chinese-controlled resources.
Canada has announced the purchase of a $4 billion over-the-horizon radar (A-OTHR) system (opens in a new tab) from BAE Systems Australia, marking the largest defense export in Australian history. The Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) (opens in a new tab) will become a cornerstone of Canada’s Arctic surveillance under its broader NORAD modernization program, providing early warning capability across vast distances by using high-frequency radio waves bounced off the ionosphere. This acquisition underscores the growing defense collaboration between U.S. allies amid shifting geopolitical alliances and concerns over U.S. trade tensions—even with friendly nations.
What’s less visible but strategically vital is the rare earth supply chain underpinning JORN’s cutting-edge radar technology. Over-the-horizon radar systems depend heavily on high-performance permanent magnets and advanced semiconductors that utilize rare earth elements (REEs) such as neodymium, samarium, yttrium, and gadolinium.
These materials are critical to signal processing, power systems, and the electromagnetic components that enable long-range detection. The deal effectively tightens Western supply chains outside of Chinese control as Australia supplies both the radar system and rare earths (via firms like Lynas Rare Earths). It also highlights the need for allied nations like Canada and the U.S. to accelerate investment in vertically integrated REE supply chains to secure the materials foundational to next-generation defense technologies.
JORN relies on several REEs for magnets, phosphors (materials that emit light (luminesce) when exposed to certain forms of energy, like ultraviolet light or electrons), and alloys.
For magnets, neodymium, samarium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium are used to create strong permanent magnets essential for radar operations. Phosphors can include yttrium, europium, and terbium, and they are utilized for display screens and other applications within radar systems, as reported in Air & Space Forces Magazine (opens in a new tab).
Finally alloys can include gadolinium and samarium, used in specialized alloys that enhance the performance of radar components as reported in Innovation News Network (opens in a new tab).
These rare earth elements are crucial for the optimal performance of OTHR systems like JORN, ensuring reliable detection and tracking capabilities over long distances.
The original report was from Shaun McDougall, who was writing for the Defense and Security Monitor (opens in a new tab).
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