NORAD modernization project timelines

Fact sheet: NORAD modernization project timelines

In June 2022, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced Canada's $38.6 billion plan to modernize North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) over the next two decades. This is the largest investment in Canada's NORAD capabilities in a generation.

This $38.6 billion of funding over twenty years on an accrual basis for NORAD modernization is broken down into five inter-related areas of investment:

These areas of investment build upon the priorities identified in the 2021 Joint Statement on NORAD Modernization issued by the Minister of National Defence and the United States Secretary of Defense.

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
Area of investment: Modernizing our surveillance systems Scheduled for Definition Phase Scheduled for Initial Operational Capability Scheduled for Full Operational Capability

Arctic Over the Horizon Radar (A-OTHR)

Surveillance will include an 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.

2024 2028 2031

Polar Over the Horizon Radar (P-OTHR)

Surveillance will also include 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.

2029 2032 2033

Crossbow

Finally, to establish surveillance, National Defence will also work with the United States to develop a complementary network of sensors with classified capabilities, distributed across Northern Canada, as another layer of detection.

2025 2029 2030

Defence Enhanced Surveillance from Space (DESSP)

We will also strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces’ space-based surveillance capabilities, including of Canadian territory and maritime approaches, by investing additional funds to complete and augment the new state-of-the-art, space-based surveillance project announced in Canada’s 2017 defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged.

2024 2035 2036
Area of investment: Technology-enabled decision making
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)

We will modernize key Canadian Armed Forces’ command, control and communications capabilities and systems.

2025 2032 2034

Future Combined Aerospace Operations Centre (FCC)

We will modernize the Canadian Combined Air Operations Centre by delivering an advanced, defended airpower Command and Control (C2) system. C2 will consist of personnel, process and equipment to plan, direct, monitor, control and coordinate domestic, continental and global operations 24/7/365.

2027 2030 2032

Air Navigation Aid Systems Replacement (AirNAS)

We will also advance work on a new Positioning, Navigation, and Timing capability to assist with air navigation in remote areas by integrating an air navigation capability that does not rely solely on Global Positioning System (GPS).

2025 2030 2032

High Frequency/Low Frequency Communications (HFLF)

We will upgrade the Canadian Armed Forces’ high and low frequency radio capabilities that provide essential command control capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces and ensure they are maintained and renewed on a continual basis.

2026 2029 2038

Enhanced Satellite Communication – Polar (ESCP-P)

We will enhance satellite communications in the Arctic through additional funding to complete and augment the polar communications project announced in Strong, Secure, Engaged.

2025 2036 2040

RCAF Air Weapons Control Coverage Expansion (RACE)

We will replace and expand digital radio coverage to continue to provide Air Traffic Service Ground-Air-Ground communication for operators at both NAV CANADA control centres and as a priority service to the Canadian Air Defence Sectors.

2026 2031 2032

NORAD Cloud-Based Command and Control (CBC2)

We will also work with the United States to expand support for the NORAD CBC2 system formerly known as the Pathfinder initiative. This project will take advantage of cloud-based computing and machine learning to ensure that NORAD commanders can make informed, rapid decisions.

- 2023 2025
Area of investment: Modernizing air weapons
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)

We will procure new, advanced air-to-air missiles to ensure Canada’s fighter aircraft maintain the ability to engage threats from short ranges.

2023 2028 2030

Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (MRAAM)

We will procure new, advanced air-to-air missiles to ensure Canada’s fighter aircraft maintain the ability to engage threats from medium ranges.

2023 2027 2031

Long Range Air-to-Air Missile (LRAAM)

We will procure new, advanced air-to-air missiles to ensure Canada’s fighter aircraft maintain the ability to engage threats from long ranges.

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+)

We will acquire additional air-to-air refueling aircraft. Additional funding will expand the number and scope of tanker aircraft to be acquired through an already mature Air–to-Air Refueling/Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) project, announced in Strong, Secure Engaged. The STTC project will replace the existing Canadian Armed Forces capability to conduct strategic airlift and air-to-air refueling.

2023 2029 2033

Defence of Canada Fighter Infrastructure Project (DCFI)

We will upgrade fighter infrastructure and NORAD Quick Reaction Alert capabilities at bases across Canada to support the arrival of our new fleet of F-35 fighter jets and United States NORAD capabilities.

2022 2029 2032

Northern Basing Infrastructure

We will upgrade Canadian Armed Forces’ infrastructure at four Forward Operating Locations in Canada’s North (Inuvik, Yellowknife, Iqaluit, and Goose Bay).

The planning process is underway to ensure that this infrastructure will meet NORAD and broader Canadian Armed Forces military requirements, and we will consider multi-purpose opportunities where practical through engagement with Indigenous and Northern governments and partners.

2027 2034 2039

Operational Training Infrastructure Enterprise Modernization (OTIEM)

We will modernize the Canadian Armed Forces’ air operational training infrastructure.

2026 2029 2032
Area of investment: Research and development
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

We will provide funding for Defence Research and Development Canada to invest in science and technology that will assess new and emerging threats, accessing and co-developing technological solutions with the United States.

N/A N/A N/A

The $38.6 billion investment also includes $1.18 billion for internal services.

Note: Figures may not add due to rounding.

In the context of a significantly changing global security environment, further demonstrated by Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal invasion of Ukraine, and with climate change increasingly impacting our defence and security, as well as the rapid development of new weapons technology such as hypersonic weapons and advanced cruise missiles, there is a pressing need to modernize Canada’s NORAD capabilities, and Canada’s NORAD modernization plan will ensure that this occurs.

In January 2023, Minister Anand also announced that Canada has finalized an agreement with the United States government and Lockheed Martin with Pratt & Whitney for the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The acquisition of 88 state-of-the-art fighter jets is the largest investment in the RCAF in the past 30 years.

Taken together, these investments will bolster NORAD and CAF's ability to protect Canadians against new and emerging military threats to North America.

Long term investments will also strengthen Canada's innovation and industrial sectors, while generating significant economic and job creation benefits across the country, and they will offer meaningful new opportunities to deepen National Defence's strong Northern, territorial, and Indigenous partnerships as we work together to advance shared objectives.

Since the release of Canada's NORAD Modernization Plan in June 2022, Canada has also been undertaking the following work to modernize our continental defences:

NORAD remains the model of a successful defence partnership and a symbol of our enduring and mutually beneficial cross-border relationship with the United States. NORAD has evolved to keep North America safe from modern aerospace and maritime threats, and with these additional investments, will continue to uphold its mandate well into the future.

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