JORN, a network of three over-the-horizon radar facilities, is a strategic and early-warning asset for Australia. Canada is buying a similar system. (Australian Defence Force)

Defense News reports,

“CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), operated by Canada and the United States, has gaping holes in its airspace radar coverage. Ottawa went some way to filling those gaps when it signed four related agreements in June for a new radar system sourced from Australia.

“The system is called the Arctic Over-The-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR), and the deal is worth some US$1.75 billion to Australia.

Not mentioned is the fact that these systems can detect surface targets as well air targets. New Over the Horizon radars will be an important element in Arctic Maritime Domain Awareness.

More info here: “Australia, Canada formalize Arctic over-the-horizon radar deal” –The Watch.