Canada is building a new missile defense radar: launch in 2026, combat duty by 2029

When will it start and when will it work

Work on a new missile defense radar in Canada is scheduled to begin in early 2026. This was announced by a representative of the Ministry of National Defense of the country. According to the plan, the system will be fully operational by 2029. This is not just an upgrade of old equipment, but the creation of a new, more sensitive and long—range tracking system.

The radar will be part of efforts to modernize the northern air defense system, especially amid increased activity in the Arctic.

What will the new radar do?

Canada now relies on an aging network of radars, some of which were built during the Cold War. The new radar should close key blind spots, especially over the Arctic, where missile overflights are possible.

It will be able to detect ballistic targets in the early stages — even before reaching the target trajectory. This will give the Allies more time to make decisions, whether to intercept or evacuate.

Does Canada fit into the US and NATO system

The radar will become part of the updated structure of NORAD, the bilateral air and space defense command of the United States and Canada. It will be integrated with American systems such as SBIRS and GBI and transmit data in real time.

This is not just a national project, it is a contribution to the collective security of North America. Without control over the northern space, the entire missile defense system loses its meaning.

Why is this important right now

Geopolitics is changing. Russia has stepped up patrols in the Arctic, China is increasing its presence, and hypersonic missiles are reducing reaction time. Canada, with its vast territory and border with the Arctic, cannot afford to be blind.

The new radar is not a whim, but a necessity. It will protect not only military installations, but also large cities that may become targets.

Sources

1. Ottawa Citizen — David Pugliese: new multi-billion-dollar missile-defence radar project starting in Ontario early 2026, operational by 2029
2. Twitter — David Pugliese announcement on radar work timeline
3. Yahoo News Canada — work expected to start in early 2026 on Canada's missile-defence radar
4. Wikipedia — planned Canadian Forces projects including the radar system

The Pentagon has thrown another 2 billion at THAAD: missile interception missiles are becoming the norm

 

THAAD

The US Department of Defense on Monday made a major adjustment to its missile defense program: Lockheed Martin received a contract worth $ 2.06 billion for the production of interceptors for the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system, the very "shield" that is supposed to catch enemy ballistic missiles on approach.

This is not a new contract, but a modification of an existing one. Now its total value has increased from $8.35 billion to $10.42 billion, a figure that makes one's ears pop. But in the face of growing threats from North Korea, Iran and other countries, the Pentagon considers such investments necessary.

What will Lockheed Martin do? To produce key components of THAAD interceptors at fixed prices — that is, without additional surcharges. Work will unfold at several plants: in Dallas (Texas), Sunnyvale (California), Troy (Alabama) and Camden (Arkansas). This is not only defense, but also jobs — both politics and economics combined.

The THAAD system is one of the most efficient in the world: it intercepts rockets at high altitude, even before they have time to enter the dense layers of the atmosphere. It has already been deployed in South Korea, Guam, Qatar and other hot spots. Now the United States wants to increase its stock of interceptors in case a massive missile attack begins.

The expected completion date is December 1, 2029. At the start of the contract, the Pentagon had already allocated $284.92 million for procurement in 2024-2025.

Interestingly, only one offer was requested for this contract, and one was received. In other words, Lockheed Martin is actually a monopolist in this field. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in Huntsville, Alabama, is the customer and is overseeing the process.

Trump announced the creation of the $175 billion Golden Dome space missile defense system

 

President of the USA D. Trump on Tuesday announced the concept he wants to see in his future Golden Dome missile defense program, a multi—tiered $175 billion system that will launch American weapons into space for the first time.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said that, according to his expectations, the system will be "fully operational by the end of my term," which ends in 2029, and will be able to intercept missiles, "even if they are launched from space." Most likely, by this point, the complex system will already have some initial capabilities, said a U.S. official familiar with the program.

Trump also announced that General Michael Getlein, who currently holds the position of Deputy Chief of Space Operations, will be responsible for overseeing the construction of the Golden Dome.

The United States has unveiled a massive defense investment initiative

 

The United States has unveiled a new large-scale defense investment initiative that provides for an additional $150 billion invested in priority military programs through fiscal year 2029, separate from the regular U.S. defense budget.

The plan, announced on April 27, 2025, reflects the Trump administration's strategic commitment to accelerate next-generation military capabilities in response to increasing global security challenges. The highlight of this initiative is the allocation of $500 million to accelerate the development of the F/A-XX aircraft, the sixth-generation stealth fighter that is central to the U.S. Navy's vision for future air supremacy.