From left: Secretary of State, Defense Procurement Stephen Fuhr; Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg; Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound; MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley; and Minister of National Defence David McGuinty. Photo: Telesat

Telesat and MDA Space are working with Canada’s government to deliver a multi-frequency, Arctic milsatcom capability under a new strategic partnership agreement announced Tuesday. 

This partnership is part of the Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP-P), a procurement led by Canada’s newly formed Defence Investment Agency (DIA). The program’s objective is to equip the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with ultra-high frequency (UHF) narrowband and wideband satellite communications for beyond line of sight communications in the Arctic.

The project’s overall funding range is greater than $5 billion Canadian dollars. Canada has awarded an initial $2.9 million contract ($2.1 million) to Telesat in conjunction with MDA Space to conduct engineering and options analysis work.

Canada’s Minister of National Defence David McGuinty called the project an advancement in Canada’s defense and sovereignty. 

“By investing in cutting-edge satellite communications, we are providing the Canadian Armed Forces with secure, resilient, and modern capabilities — allowing them to safeguard our airspace, respond quickly to emerging threats, and support communities throughout the Arctic and the North,” McGuinty said in a release. 

According to the government’s announcement, the milsatcom capabilities support CAF in defending sovereign Canada and North America through the North American Aerospace Defense Agreement (NORAD), in addition to surveillance and search and rescue missions.

The project is subject to Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy focused on supporting the national defense industry and suppliers. Both Telesat and MDA Space are based in Canada. 

“Along with MDA Space, we are honored to be chosen as strategic partners in modernizing Canada’s defence capabilities and expanding secure, resilient communications infrastructure,” Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg said in a release. “We commend the government’s forward-thinking approach to defence procurement— one that harnesses industry expertise, innovation, and investment to accelerate deployment of a secure, multi-frequency architecture that strengthens Arctic security and safeguards Canadian sovereignty.”