NORAD Authorities and Operations
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- We remain committed to ensuring the safety of Canadians and the security of Canadian airspace.
- As a binational command, NORAD is equally responsible to, and staffed by, officials from Canada and the US as it fulfills its missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning.
- NORAD is charged with detecting, deterring, and if necessary, defeating air domain threats to Canada and the US, in accordance with the NORAD Agreement and direction from both governments.
- In fact, NORAD has played a key role in responding to recent incidents, including taking down the high-altitude object over Central Yukon.
- Through outstanding binational cooperation, NORAD continues to evolve to address emerging threats, and plays an important role in the defence of North America.
- We will always work closely with our US partners to protect North American airspace, including through NORAD, its binational mission set, and cross-border operations as required.
If pressed on the interception of Russian aircraft in the Arctic:
- Through NORAD, we monitor activity in Canadian airspace, as well as the Canadian Air Defence Identification Zone.
- Russian activity near the North American Air Defence Identification Zone occurs regularly, which NORAD takes great measures to monitor and respond to as required.
- We continue to maintain awareness of our airspace, and remain capable of defending it.
- Our investments through NORAD modernization will ensure that NORAD can address new and emerging aerospace threats to Canada and North America.
Key Facts
North American Aerospace Defense Command
- Formally established by Canada and the US in 1958, for the combined air defence of North America during the Cold War.
- The NORAD Agreement was renewed in perpetuity in 2006 and, alongside its existing missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control, added a maritime warning mission.
- NORAD has a unique binational structure, which means that it is equally responsible to, and made up of personnel from, both Canada and the US.
- NORAD features prominently within Canada’s defence policy, highlighting its continued importance to Canada in terms of continental security and broader Canada-US defence relations.
- Should an unknown object enter the Canadian Air Defence Identification Zone (CADIZ), NORAD will identify and investigate it to assess whether it constitutes a threat. If the object is assessed to not pose a kinetic military threat, further discussions across the Canadian government to determine whether it poses a risk to national security, flight safety, or to people on the ground.
- NORAD also tracks and positively identifies foreign aircraft that enter the CADIZ, and as necessary, escorts them from the CADIZ.
- NORAD employs a layered defence network of satellites, ground-based radars, airborne radar, and fighter aircraft to track and identify aircraft and inform appropriate actions.
Canadian Armed Forces Contribution to NORAD
- Approximately 1,000 Canadian Armed Forces members support NORAD in fulfilling its missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for the defence of North America.
- Canada contributes fighter aircraft, command, communications and control nodes, bases and Forward Operating Locations across the country.
- Canada is responsible for maintaining and operating the Canadian portion of the North Warning System, a radar station chain stretching from Alaska to Labrador.
- 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD): Canadian NORAD Region headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, provides operational command and control of assigned assets while the Canadian Air Defence Sector (CADS), located in North Bay, Ontario provides tactical command and control of assigned assets for the Canadian NORAD Region.
Canada-US Coordination
- In June 2022, the Minister of National Defence announced Canada’s plan to modernize NORAD. Supported by an investment of $38.6 billion over twenty years on an accrual basis, this plan includes investment in next-generation surveillance; command, control, and communications systems; air-to-air missiles; infrastructure and support capabilities, including in the North; and science and technology.
- Canada will continue working closely with the US on NORAD modernization and the implementation of initiatives on a bilateral and binational basis, to support the shared priority areas identified in the Canada-US Joint Statement on NORAD Modernization, and reiterated during the US President’s visit to Ottawa in March 2023.
- This cooperation occurs primarily through the service-to-service relationship between the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and United States Air Force (USAF), and is supported by stakeholders across DND/CAF and the US Department of Defense as appropriate.
High Altitude Objects Overview
- National Defence is committed to acting decisively to defend Canada, protect Canadian interests and values, and contribute to global stability.
- We worked closely with our US partners, including through NORAD, to promptly respond to the high-altitude surveillance balloon, as well as the three subsequent airborne objects.
- As we do with all security matters pertaining to North America, Canada will continue to closely collaborate with the US, including through NORAD, and with other partners.
- Officials from my department and I routinely engage with our US counterparts at all levels, including with the US Secretary of Defense, to ensure a thoroughly coordinated effort when it comes to the defence and security of North America.
- More broadly, NORAD works every day to improve domain awareness by integrating and reviewing intelligence and sensor data.
- This bi-national partnership is fundamental to our security and that is why we are investing $38.6 billion over twenty years to modernize our contribution to NORAD.
- This marks the most significant upgrade to Canada’s NORAD capabilities in nearly four decades.
- Ultimately, NORAD modernization efforts and investments, in both Canada and the US, will help to address domain awareness gaps.
If pressed on whether the surveillance balloon flew through “radar gaps” or whether planned investments will help address future incidents:
- Canada, including through NORAD, employs a wide range of capabilities to detect, track, and characterize airborne threats.
- NORAD successfully detected and tracked the balloon.
- There are many factors that affect whether an object can be detected and continuously tracked by radar, including altitude, speed, material of the object, and weather.
- Canada’s plan to modernize our NORAD capabilities will enhance our situational awareness and response capabilities across the North American sovereign airspace.
- Notably, this will include next-generation Over-the-Horizon Radar systems; upgrades to command, control and communications capabilities; additional and longer-range air-to-air missiles; and more robust infrastructure to support air operations across the country.
If pressed on why US aircraft downed high-altitude objects in Canadian airspace:
- NORAD is a binational command, which employs assets from Canada and the US to accomplish its missions of aerospace warning and control.
- On , at the direction of the Prime Minister and with concurrence of the US President, US aircraft under the command authority of NORAD took down a high-altitude airborne object over Central Yukon.
- During this mission, both Canadian and American aircraft assigned to NORAD received the same direction to down the object as soon as possible.
If pressed on whether Canadian fighters could have engaged the object:
- CAF aircraft were equipped with the appropriate capabilities to address this scenario, and were prepared to engage the object as required.
- Planned acquisition of the F-35 fighter aircraft and newer air-to-air missiles will provide more flexible options against emerging threats in the coming years.
If pressed on the targeting of the object over Lake Huron:
- Our top priority in all operations is to ensure the safety of our citizens.
- NORAD takes every precaution to nullify or minimize collateral damage when assessing the engagement of any object.
- Appropriate measures were taken in this case to ensure the airspace was clear of any commercial, civilian, or recreational traffic.
- The missile that missed its target was actively tracked as it landed in the waters of Lake Huron, on the American side of the lake.
- Expert assessment has indicated that the missile was most likely destroyed when it hit the water, and presents no unexploded ordnance hazard.
- Canada will work closely with the US to assess lessons learned from these recent operations, and to ensure that authorities, policies, and processes are sufficiently robust to deal with evolving threats to our security.
Key Facts
Airborne Object () – US Airspace (Lake Huron)
- On , NORAD launched Canadian and US fighter aircraft to identify and investigate a high-altitude object over Lake Huron.
- The object was visually identified using fighter aircraft assigned to NORAD.
- Aircraft under the command authority of United States Northern Command took down the object.
- The object fell down in US territory, in very close proximity to the maritime Canada-US border.
Airborne Object () – Canadian Airspace (Central Yukon)
- On , at the direction of the Prime Minister and with concurrence of the US President, aircraft assigned to NORAD successfully downed a high-altitude object over Central Yukon.
- The object was downed approximately 100 miles from the Canada-US border inside Canadian airspace.
- It was flying at an altitude of 39,000 feet and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight.
- NORAD launched Canadian and US fighter aircraft to identify and investigate the object, and air-to-air refuelling aircraft and a Canadian CP-140 with air-to-ground sensors also supported the event.
Airborne Object () – US Airspace (Northern Alaska)
- On , the Alaskan NORAD Region detected a high-altitude object, just off the Alaskan Northern Coast.
- Canada – in collaboration with the US, including through NORAD – tracked the situation, and the object did not fly into Canadian airspace.
- NORAD launched aircraft to identify and investigate the object, which was ultimately taken down under the command authority of United States Northern Command.
High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon ()
- On , National Defence and the US Department of Defense announced that a high-altitude surveillance balloon had been detected, and was being actively tracked, by NORAD.
- On , with Canada’s full support, the US took decisive action to bring down the balloon, which violated US and Canadian airspace and international law.
- Based on an initial threat assessment, we determined that the balloon did not pose an imminent threat to Canadians.
- I will also assure you that it did not fly over any Canadian Armed Forces infrastructure of significance.
- We then took steps to further analyze the object in collaboration with the US and within NORAD.
- Following the identification of the high-altitude surveillance balloon, NORAD adjusted its standard operating procedures. This adjustment provided NORAD with better fidelity to see smaller and/or slower objects at various altitudes.
- These types of objects have low radar signatures, which make it difficult for them to be detected and tracked on radar; challenging to locate with airborne assets; and difficult to categorize.
- US aircraft under the command authority of United States Northern Command took down the object.
- In terms of next steps, the US is analyzing the balloon’s wreckage and we will closely collaborate with them in developing the threat assessment.
- We continue to work closely with our US partners to protect North American airspace, including through NORAD and its binational mission set and cross-border operations as required.
- In addition, Canada’s national security community continues to work with their partners in the US to take all necessary measures to safeguard Canada from foreign intelligence threats.
NORAD Modernization and Continental Defence
- We are committed to ensuring the safety of Canadians and contributing to the security of North America.
- In today’s global environment, NORAD has renewed importance in safeguarding North America against rapidly changing threats.
- That is why we are investing $38.6 billion over twenty years to modernize our contribution to NORAD.
- And we are doing so, in a transparent way.
- Last month, National Defence released a detailed update on the projects we will advance under NORAD modernization.
- This includes enhanced surveillance, improved command, control, and communications, modernized air weapons systems, infrastructure and support, and research and development.
- We will also create a fund to enable Indigenous partners to meaningfully engage with National Defence as we deliver these initiatives and on shared interests more broadly.
- Taken together, this marks the most significant upgrade to Canada’s NORAD capabilities in nearly four decades.
- As reaffirmed by the Prime Minister and President Biden in March, we are undertaking these modernization efforts in collaboration with our American partners so that we adapt to evolving security challenges together.
If pressed on short-term action to bolster continental defence:
- Canada continues to work closely with the U.S. to detect, deter, and defend against threats to North America – every day and in all domains.
- We are investing in new technological solutions such as Over-the-Horizon Radar and space-based surveillance, which will greatly enhance early warning and tracking of potential threats to North America.
- We expect to reach initial operating capability by 2028 for Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar.
- In addition to implementing NORAD modernization plans, we continue to advance a number of key procurement projects that are relevant to continental defence, including the acquisition of the F-35 and a new fleet of air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
- We anticipate reaching initial operation capability by 2029 for additional air-to-air refuelling, as well as infrastructure upgrades across Canada, that will accommodate the new F-35 aircraft.
Key Facts
- On June 20, 2022, National Defence announced $3 billion over six years with $1.9 billion in remaining amortization for NORAD modernization. This is part of the $38.6 billion investment on an accrual basis over 20 years for new capabilities.
- Our NORAD modernization investments are focused on five key areas:
- enhancing surveillance and threat detection;
- improving command, control, and communications;
- modernizing air weapons systems;
- upgrading our infrastructure and support capabilities; and
- investing in research and development.
- In March 2023, National Defence released a detailed update on NORAD modernization, which included estimated timelines for projects under each of the five identified areas of investment (see Annex A).
- Canada contributes fighter aircraft, bases and Forward Operating Location across the country to NORAD, and approximately 1,000 Canadian Armed Forces members support NORAD missions.
- The North Warning System (NWS) includes 10 operational Long Range Radars (LRR), 36 unattended Short Range Radar (SRR) sites and five Logistics Support Sites (LSS) across Northern Canada. It also comprises the North Warning System Control Centre (NWSCC) and the North Warning System Support Centre (NWSSC), which are located and operated at 22 Wing, North Bay, Ontario.
- 45 of the 47 Canadian NWS radar sites are located within three Inuit Settlement Areas across Canada’s North and are maintained through a contract with Nasittuq, an Inuit majority-owned company. They are remotely monitored and controlled by NORAD from the Canadian Air Defence Sector (CADS), located at 22 Wing, North Bay, Ontario.
Details
Funding for NORAD Modernization
- “Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada’s Defence Policy” outlined the vision for Canada’s continued cooperation with the U.S. to meet emerging threats and perils to North America through the modernization of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and continental defence efforts.
- NORAD modernization is a long-term project and the investments announced by the Minister of National Defence in June 2022 will support NORAD and the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) ability to protect Canadians against new and emerging aerospace threats to Canada and North America more broadly.
- Specific investments will include, among other initiatives, new Over the Horizon radar systems; command, control, and communications upgrades; additional air-to-air refueling aircraft; advanced air-to-air missiles for fighter jets; upgrades to CAF infrastructure in the North; and additional funding to complete and augment key space projects, broken down into 5 inter-related areas of investment:
- Bolstering our ability to detect threats earlier and more precisely by modernizing our surveillance systems ($6.96B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
- Improving our ability to understand and communicate threats to decision-makers in a timely manner through upgrades to our command, control, and communications systems ($4.13B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
- Strengthening our ability to deter and defeat aerospace threats by modernizing our air weapons systems ($6.38B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
- Ensuring our Canadian Armed Forces can launch and sustain a strong military presence across the country, including in Canada’s North, through investments in new infrastructure and support capabilities ($15.68B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
- Future-proofing our capabilities to defend North America through investments in science and technology ($4.23B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
Canadian Armed Forces Contribution to NORAD
- Approximately 1,000 Canadian Armed Forces members support NORAD in fulfilling its missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for the defence of North America.
- Canada also contributes fighter aircraft, command, communications and control nodes, bases and Forward Operating Locations across the country.
- Canada is also responsible for maintaining and operating the Canadian portion of the North Warning System, a chain of radar stations stretching from Alaska to Labrador.
- 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD): Canadian NORAD Region headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, provides operational command and control of assigned assets while the CADS located in North Bay, Ontario provides tactical command and control of assigned assets for the Canadian NORAD Region.
NORAD Missions
- Aerospace warning: detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles.
- Aerospace control: detection, interception, and if necessary, engagement of any air-breathing threat to Canada and the U.S.
- Maritime warning: processing, assessing, and disseminating intelligence and information related to the respective maritime areas, internal waterways, and approaches to the U.S. and Canada.
Implementation
- National Defence is working to establish and integrate NORAD modernization projects into the broader Defence program, move out on early priorities in the 20-year plan, and lay the ground for deeper partner and stakeholder engagement on the full suite of initiatives over the coming months and years.
- National Defence continues to conduct engagements with Northern provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments and organizations, taking a distinctions-based approach, to build relationships and hear their priorities relating to potential NORAD modernization investments.
- As implementation progresses, National Defence will strive to deliver capabilities that are relevant to, and inclusive of, all Canadians, and underpinned by meaningful dialogue with Indigenous and Northern governments and partners.
- In implementing the United National Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, and the Inuit Nunangat Policy, National Defence is committed to incorporating Indigenous perspectives into relevant defence activities.
Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC):
- As a result of engagement in support of continental defence and NORAD modernization proposals, the Minister of National Defence was invited to join the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee in April 2022 as a way to formalize and improve cooperation and collaboration with Inuit partners on defence in the Arctic.
- The regular engagement in ICPC provides an opportunity to affirm our commitment to advancing reconciliation, enhance the relationship with Inuit, and make real progress on common priorities.
- ICPC leaders meet three times a year, including one meeting co-chaired by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Natan Obed. At the officials’ level, the ICPC Sovereignty, Defence, and Security working group also meets at least three times a year.
Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (ANPF)
- In September 2022, the Parliamentary Secretary of National Defence participated at the ANPF annual Leaders Meeting and presented on NORAD modernization.
- To better understand Northern territorial and Indigenous priorities, and to engage them in the development of proposals, National Defence engaged the ANPF All Partners Working Group three times in 2021-2022 on NORAD modernization.
- Following an incident in Yukon in February 2023 involving a high-altitude object, National Defence engaged the ANPF All Partners Working Group to provide Northern territorial and Indigenous partners with an update, including a high-level, unclassified threat briefing on the Arctic.
- This is in addition to operational-level engagements with local governments, which were conducted by Joint Task Force North following the downing of the object and throughout the subsequent search efforts.
Annex A: NORAD modernization project timelines
The majority of projects will reach Initial Operational Capability within the next decade. Project timelines are available in the following table:
| Area of Investment: Modernizing our surveillance systems | Scheduled for Definition Phase | Scheduled for Initial Operational Capability | Scheduled for Full Operational Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
Northern Approaches Surveillance system (NASS) |
- | - | - |
Arctic Over the Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) |
2024 | 2028 | 2031 |
Polar Over the Horizon Radar (P-OTHR) |
2029 | 2032 | 2033 |
Crossbow |
2025 | 2029 | 2030 |
Defence Enhanced Surveillance from Space (DESSP) |
2025 | 2035 | 2036 |
| Area of Investment: Technology-enabled decision making | Scheduled for Definition Phase | Scheduled for Initial Operational Capability | Scheduled for Full Operational Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
Modernized Command and Control Information Systems (MC2IS) |
2025 | 2032 | 2034 |
Future Combined Aerospace Operations Centre (FCC) |
2027 | 2030 | 2032 |
Position Navigation and Timing Air Navigation (PNT AirNav) |
2025 | 2030 | 2032 |
High Frequency/Low Frequency Communications (HFLF) |
2026 | 2029 | 2038 |
Enhanced Satellite Communication – Polar (ESCP-P) |
2023 | 2035 | 2038 |
RCAF Air Weapons Control Coverage Expansion (RACE) |
2026 | 2031 | 2032 |
NORAD Cloud-Based Command and Control (CBC2) |
2024 | TBD | 2030 |
| Area of Investment: Modernizing air weapons | Scheduled for Definition Phase | Scheduled for Initial Operational Capability | Scheduled for Full Operational Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Short Range Missile (ASRM) |
2023 | 2027 | 2032 |
Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (MRAAM) |
2023 | 2029 | 2032 |
Long Range Air-to-Air Missile (LRAAM) |
2026 | 2030 | 2035 |
Area of investment: Infrastructure and support capabilities
| Area of investment: Infrastructure and support capabilities | Scheduled for Definition Phase | Scheduled for Initial Operational Capability | Scheduled for Full Operational Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
Additional Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR+/STTC+) |
2023 | 2029 | 2033 |
Defence of Canada Fighter Infrastructure Project (DCFI) |
2022 | 2029 | 2032 |
Northern Basing Infrastructure |
2027 | 2034 | 2039 |
Operational Training Infrastructure Enterprise Modernization (OTIEM) |
2026 | 2029 | 2032 |
| Area of investment: Research and development | Scheduled for Definition Phase | Scheduled for Initial Operational Capability | Scheduled for Full Operational Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
Investments in DRDC science and technology |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
North Warning System Maintenance and Upgrades
- While the North Warning System plays an important role in our contribution to NORAD, its surveillance capabilities are challenged by evolving air and missile threats.
- This is why we are investing in new technological solutions that will form part of the future Northern Approaches Surveillance System, which will greatly enhance early warning and tracking of potential threats to North America.
- National Defence is exploring the potential role of the North Warning System in the future surveillance network, with consideration to operational requirements and the broader benefits of defence investment in the North.
- Accordingly, in January 2022, the Government awarded a contract for the operations, maintenance, and sustainment services of the North Warning System to Nasittuq Corporation, an Inuit majority-owned company.
- The seven-year contract, which began in April 2022, is valued at $592M, and includes four, two-year option periods for extension, for a total estimated value of $1.3 billion.
- The North Warning System will be maintained at least until new capabilities, such as Over-the-Horizon Radar, are operational.
Key Facts
- The North Warning System (NWS) includes 10 operational Long Range Radars (LRR), 36 unattended Short Range Radar (SRR) sites and five Logistics Support Sites (LSS) across Northern Canada. It also comprises the North Warning System Control Centre (NWSCC) and the North Warning System Support Centre (NWSSC), which are located and operated at 22 Wing, North Bay, Ontario.
- 45 of the 47 Canadian NWS radar sites are located within three Inuit Settlement Areas across Canada’s North and are maintained through a contract with Nasittuq, an Inuit majority-owned company. They are remotely monitored and controlled by NORAD from the Canadian Air Defence Sector (CADS), located at 22 Wing, North Bay, Ontario.
Details
Maintenance and Sustainment
- In January 2022, the Government of Canada awarded a contract to Nasittuq Corporation to provide operations, maintenance and sustainment services to the North Warning System. Nasittuq Corporation is an Inuit majority-owned corporation. The seven-year contract, which began on 1 April 2022, is valued at $592M ($527 million before taxes). The contract also includes four two-year option periods for a total estimated value of $1.3 billion ($1.1 billion before taxes).
- Through this contract, Nasittuq will be responsible for remote site operations, including but not limited to helipads, gravel runways, more than 100 buildings and over 300 bulk fuel storage tanks. The work involves maintenance, logistics support, airlift coordination, environmental systems management, systems engineering and project management for the entire NWS.
- This process reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to renewing and strengthening its economic relationship with the Inuit and ensuring that federal procurement is compliant with Inuit treaties.
- The NWS will be maintained at least until new capabilities are sufficiently robust. It is expected that key elements of the future surveillance system will reach initial operational capability at various points between 2028 and 2035.
Future Northern Approaches Surveillance System
- The Minister’s announcement of Canada’s plan to modernize NORAD in June 2022, which is funded through an investment of $38.6 billion over twenty years on an accrual basis, identified specific capabilities that will form part of the future Northern Approaches Surveillance System. These include:
- Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar system to provide early warning radar coverage and threat tracking from the Canada-United States border to the Arctic circle (scheduled initial operating capability in 2028);
- A Polar Over-the-Horizon Radar system to provide early warning radar coverage over and beyond the northernmost approaches to North America, including the Canadian Arctic archipelago (scheduled to initial operating capability in 2032); and
- National Defence will also work with the United States to develop a complementary network of sensors (CROSSBOW) with classified capabilities, distributed across Northern Canada, as another layer of detection (scheduled for initial operating capability in 2029).
Space Based Surveillance Systems
- Currently, the Government of Canada owned RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) satellites are critical to monitoring Canada’s Arctic, navigable sea routes and coastal areas, as well as providing global surveillance for the Canadian Armed Forces. The RCM project has a seven-year design life, and is expected to be fully operational until 2026.
- To replace the RCM, National Defence has started a project to have its own dedicated radar satellite constellation, which will include two projects that are expected to become operational in 2035;
- The Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP-P) will provide sovereign, dedicated, reliable and secure communications to enable core Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities in the Arctic. Its Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and Full Operational Capability (FOC) are expected for 2034/2035 and 2037/2038, respectively.
- The Defence Enhanced Surveillance from Space Project (DESSP) is the planned replacement and upgrade of capabilities provided by RADARSAT Constellation Mission and Polar Epsilon 2. The system, through unique DND/CAF ground processing, will provide DND/CAF with the capability to conduct global surveillance with a kay focus on Maritime Domain Awareness. The DESSP will contribute to the Five Eyes intelligence network as part of Canada’s commitment to allied burden sharing arrangements.
- The Royal Canadian Air Force is working closely with the Canadian Space Agency to determine how to fill the gap between the RCM end-of-life – anticipated for 2026 – and IOC of ESCP-P (2034/2035). This could include various options, including purchasing a satellite to replenish par of the RCM constellation, obtaining space data from allied satellites, or purchasing imagery from industry partners. Options space is still being considered.
Air and Missile Defence
- Evolving air and missile threats, such as hypersonic weapons and advanced cruise missiles, make it more important than ever to collaborate with the U.S. to defend our shared continent.
- As a top priority, we are investing $38.6 billion over twenty years on an accrual basis in NORAD modernization.
- In fact, $6.4 billion of this funding will go toward buying and sustaining new advanced short-, medium- and long-range air-to-air missiles.
- We are also making important investments in:
- next generation sensors to monitor our airspace and approaches and provide earlier warning of threats;
- technology-enabled command, control, and communications to better interpret intelligence data and ensure timely, informed decisions.
- Along with acquiring Canada’s fleet of F-35 aircraft, these efforts will enhance North America’s collective deterrence posture that safeguards the safety and prosperity of Canada and our Allies.
- While Canada’s position on participating in the U.S. ballistic missile defence system has not changed, we remain committed to strengthening our ability to defend North America against a full range of threats.
If pressed on whether the U.S. would protect Canada:
- Engaging in the interception of a ballistic missile outside Canada would be a sovereign decision made solely by the U.S.
- Canada cooperates closely with the U.S. on defending against other air and missile threats, such as cruise missiles, through NORAD.
Details
- Given the complexity of modern missile threats, many of Canada’s Allies are moving towards adopting the concept of Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), which aims to remove gaps that exist between different types of air and missile defence systems, and optimizes the overall defence architecture to meet the full range of threats.
- Investment in NORAD modernization: Many of Canada’s investments in NORAD modernization will help support developing an integrated system that can defend against a broad range of air and missile threats. For example:
- Investments in Over-the-Horizon Radar, layered with space-based surveillance will ensure Canada and NORAD can detect, identify, and track modern threats;
- Modernizing command, control, and communications systems will enable senior leaders to make faster decisions more effectively in order to maximize deterrence and defence options;
- Advanced air-to-air missiles will enhance capability of engaging threats from short-, medium-, and long-range distances and will be compatible with F-35s;
- Augmenting key defence and logistics capabilities will extend the CAF’s range and mobility to respond to defence, safety, and security concerns throughout Canada, including in the aerospace domain through NORAD;
- Enhancing existing infrastructure in the North will ensure that Canada can safeguard its sovereignty by supporting new aircraft and enhancing more sustainable operations and presence in Canada’s Northern and remote regions;
- Pursuing ongoing research and development to better understand emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, hypersonic, alternative energy and cyber, and enable Canada to develop strong defences against new threats.
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