The Canadian defense ministry has awarded Thales Canada Inc. a C$186 million contract for the purchase and in-service support of three new tactical control radars.
These new radars will enable the Royal Canadian Air Force to detect, identify and direct fighter interceptors to potential threats in Canadian and North American aerospace. These radars can also be transported and deployed world-wide to support operations and training exercises for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The radars, which will be delivered by Thales Canada but manufactured by Lockheed Martin, will be replacing the Northrop Grumman TPS-70 solution currently in service.
Two of these will replace the existing ones located at 4 Wing Cold Lake, in Alberta, and 3 Wing Bagotville, in Quebec, and the third one will be used as needed, based on Canadian Armed Forces operational requirements.
First deliveries of the new radars are expected to begin in 2023.
The order is actually divided in two, with the first contract covering the acquisition of three new tactical control radar systems, sub-systems and associated equipment, and second contract for in-service support for an initial work period of five years.
According to the defense ministry, the new radars will be ready to accommodate changing technology and improve the systems throughout their life-cycle, leading to an overall reduction of life-cycle costs.
The radars are expected to be fully operational within three and a half years of the contracts being awarded.
Until replacements are delivered, the government will continue to maintain and employ the existing Northrop Grumman TPS-70. Repair and overhaul services have been put in place for the existing TPS-70 to cover the period up to and including the implementation of the new radars.
