Earlier this week, Defence Minister Jason Kenney revealed his plans to obtain a Medium Range Radar for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Now, with Canada’s acquisition of ten Israeli radar systems and an integrated soldier system, it appears Kenney’s wishes have been granted.
Rheinmetall Canada Inc. will be the project’s prime contractor, with volume that could reach upwards of CAD 493 million.
While Rheinmetall will produce the radars and provide in-service support, ELTA Systems Ltd., an Israeli Government subsidiary, will be providing technologies from the Israeli Defence Force Iron Dome Air Defence system.
Expected to arrive in 2017, the radars are able to provide accurate location and predicted trajectories of hostile fire. The radars can operate under extreme weather conditions and during all hours of the day or night. This awareness will allow users to see real-time air traffic and airborne threats and provide better protection from terrorist groups.
Highly transportable and rapidly deployable, Kenney anticipates increased vigilance and security for the CAF.
“Much like Israel’s successful Iron Dome radar technology, the Medium Ranger Radar system will be able to instantly track enemy fire aimed at Canadian Armed Forces personnel and help keep them safe during operations,” he said. “We’re moving forward with providing the men and women of the military with the equipment they need to do their jobs in the service of their country.”
Altogether, Rheinmetall has contracts to produce 10 radar systems which have potential combined value of up to $243.3 million.
