Ottawa, ON – July 11, 2026 – Telesat has reached an agreement in principle with Canada’s Defence Investment Agency to deliver secure Arctic connectivity to the Canadian Armed Forces through Telesat Lightspeed, advancing the Ottawa-headquartered company’s role in one of the country’s most strategically important sovereignty programs.

Securing the Mil-Ka-Band Component of ESCP-P

Announced July 8, the agreement covers the Military Ka-band (Mil-Ka) component of the Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP-P), the federal program building persistent, secure military satellite communications across Canada’s Arctic. Telesat expects to deliver Mil-Ka connectivity spanning 65 degrees to 90 degrees north latitude, along with end-to-end network integration services, including user terminals, ground and control infrastructure, training and support.

The agreement builds on a strategic partnership announced in late 2025 between Canada’s Defence Investment Agency, Telesat and MDA Space, and reflects the federal government’s approach of leveraging commercial satellite innovation to accelerate delivery of sovereign capabilities.

A definitive contract is expected to be signed within the coming weeks. Telesat says the agreement will not affect the timeline for global commercial service of Telesat Lightspeed, which remains on track for the first quarter of 2028.

Quotes

“We commend the Canadian Armed Forces, the Defence Investment Agency, and the Government of Canada for their forward-looking approach to securing critical military communications capabilities. By leveraging commercial innovation and investments, Canada will accelerate access to secure, advanced, resilient and sovereign connectivity while driving meaningful cost efficiencies in program delivery. Telesat Lightspeed will help strengthen the CAF’s ability to maintain persistent communications, operational awareness and mission success across the strategically vital Arctic domain.”

Dan Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, Telesat

Read the full announcement here.

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A Growing Moment for Canadian Defence Technology

Telesat’s expanding role in Canada’s Arctic sovereignty programs underscores why Ottawa-Gatineau anchors the country’s national defence innovation strategy: home to the Department of National Defence, more than 330 defence and security companies, and Canada’s only cluster of NATO DIANA test centres. As Canada scales defence spending toward five per cent of GDP by 2035, homegrown satellite and space capability, developed and headquartered right here, will be central to how the country protects its North.

Learn more about Invest Ottawa’s Defence Innovation Hub at investottawa.ca/dihub.