Building Canada’s Northern Shield: Aecon Partnership Advances Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar Program

Canada’s effort to modernize its continental defence architecture is taking another step forward. A newly confirmed partnership involving Aecon Group Inc., Pomerleau, and Stantec has executed an agreement to deliver the first stage of the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) Program in Ontario—an initiative designed to strengthen the early-warning capabilities that protect North America’s northern approaches.

Announced in Toronto on March 4, 2026, the agreement with Defence Construction Canada marks a significant milestone in the implementation of one of Canada’s most important defence infrastructure programs. The project forms part of the modernization of the North American Aerospace Defense Command early-warning architecture and the renewal of Canada’s North Warning System.

A Collaborative Delivery Model

The project will be delivered through a collaborative Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model designed to bring government and industry partners together in a highly coordinated approach to planning and execution.

Under this structure, Defence Construction Canada will serve as project owner, while a 50/50 joint venture led by Aecon and Pomerleau will be responsible for project delivery. Stantec will contribute engineering and design expertise as part of the integrated team.

The program will begin with a validation phase scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026. During this stage, the project team will confirm key technical, design, and execution parameters. Following validation and the completion of a design development phase, the project is expected to move into construction.

Strengthening North America’s Northern Defences

The Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar Program represents a cornerstone of Canada’s broader NORAD modernization effort, which aims to strengthen the ability of Canada and the United States to detect and respond to emerging threats in the Arctic and northern approaches.

Implemented by Department of National Defence, the program will establish a northward-aimed radar system capable of long-range surveillance across the northern approaches to major population centres in North America.

Unlike traditional line-of-sight radar systems, over-the-horizon radar technology enables detection of objects at significantly greater distances, providing earlier warning and greater situational awareness across the Arctic region. The new system will contribute to the renewal of the North Warning System, a network that has served as a critical component of continental defence for decades.

By extending surveillance coverage farther north, the system will enhance the ability of NORAD to monitor activity in the Arctic, an increasingly important domain as geopolitical competition, new technologies, and expanded access reshape the strategic environment.

Delivering Infrastructure of National Importance

For Aecon and its partners, the project represents both a major infrastructure undertaking and a strategic contribution to Canada’s national security framework.

“Aecon is purpose-built to deliver complex projects with national importance. The Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar Program is a critical undertaking and Aecon is primed to play a central role in delivering this essential defence infrastructure project alongside Defence Construction Canada and our partners,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx.

The company’s involvement reflects its longstanding experience delivering large-scale infrastructure projects across Canada, including complex initiatives in transportation, energy, and defence.

A New Layer of Arctic Awareness

As Canada accelerates efforts to strengthen Arctic sovereignty and continental defence, infrastructure projects like the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar Program are becoming increasingly central to the country’s strategic posture.

By combining advanced surveillance technology with large-scale infrastructure delivery, the program will create a new layer of situational awareness across the northern approaches to the continent—helping ensure that NORAD’s early-warning capabilities remain effective in an evolving security environment.

With the validation phase set to begin in 2026 and construction expected to follow after design development is complete, the Aecon-led partnership is now poised to help deliver one of the key building blocks of Canada’s next generation defence architecture.



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