MDA Space announced two landmark contract wins this week, reinforcing Canada’s position at the forefront of sovereign space and global defence markets. Both wins reflect the kind of dual-use innovation and international reach that Ottawa’s growing defence cluster is working to support and scale.

Headquartered in Ontario with operations across Canada, MDA Space is contributing national depth in robotics, satellite systems, and mission delivery capabilities.

$688M Contract to Replenish Canada’s Earth Observation Constellation

On June 24, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) awarded MDA Space a $688 million contract to design, build, test, launch, and commission a new radar satellite that will join and strengthen Canada’s existing RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM).

The RCM is Canada’s fleet of Earth observation satellites, providing critical data for Arctic surveillance, maritime safety, disaster response, and environmental monitoring. The new satellite will be built using MDA CHORUS™, the company’s latest Earth observation technology.

The contract is part of the Government of Canada’s $1.012 billion RADARSAT+ portfolio, a long-term investment in maintaining Canada’s ability to monitor its own territory and coastlines from space.

“Every day, Canada and Canadians rely on critical Earth observation technology and data to improve maritime safety, surveil the Arctic, respond to natural disasters and monitor the environment,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, in a release posted to the company’s website. “By leveraging our significant commercial investments in MDA CHORUS™, Canadians will benefit from world-leading technologies developed right here in Canada to meet those vital needs.”

• Read the full announcement here.

Selected to Build Key Technology for Japan’s Defence Communications Satellite

The following day, MDA Space announced it was selected by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to design and manufacture critical components for Japan’s next-generation military communications satellite, ordered by the Japan Ministry of Defense.

The satellite will replace Kirameki-2, Japan’s current military communications satellite in geostationary orbit. MDA Space’s UK facility will develop the satellite’s core digital payload, an advanced anti-jamming system capable of being reconfigured while in orbit. Its Montréal facility will manufacture and test the antenna systems before they are shipped to Japan for final assembly by Mitsubishi Electric.

The announcement comes as Canada, the UK, and Japan work to deepen their trade and defence partnerships.

“Our advanced dual-use technologies combined with the expertise and reach of our global satellite team ideally position MDA Space to respond to robust demand for sovereign missions with secure and flexible capabilities,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, in a release posted to the company’s website.

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, the Hon. Maninder Sidhu, noted the broader significance in the same release: “Today’s MDA Space announcement shows what’s possible when a global Canadian company and the Government of Canada work together to unlock new opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers.”

• Read the full announcement here.

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A Growing Moment for Canadian Defence Technology

MDA Space’s back-to-back wins, one anchoring sovereign capability at home and one extending Canada’s reach into allied defence markets, reflect exactly the kind of dual-use innovation and global competitiveness at the heart of Ottawa’s emerging defence cluster.

Learn more about Invest Ottawa’s Defence Innovation Hub and how it is connecting partners across industry, government, academia, and the innovation ecosystem to strengthen Canada’s defence and security capabilities at investottawa.ca/dihub.