The Government of Canada is committed to equipping the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with the tools it needs to protect Canadians, strengthen our Arctic security and unleash the economic potential of the North.
Today, the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, the Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement), announced that the Government of Canada has established a strategic partnership with Telesat Corporation and MDA Space, to develop and bolster the Canadian Forces' military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) capabilities.
This partnership is part of the Enhanced Satellite Communications Project - Polar (ESCP-P), one of the key procurements being led by the newly formed Defence Investment Agency. It will provide reliable wideband and narrowband connectivity to support domestic and continental operations in the Arctic. This project is leveraging Canadian industry to create high-quality jobs across the country, while unlocking a multi-billion dollar investment in Canada's defence sector.
The Government of Canada selected Telesat and MDA Space as strategic partners because of their combined expertise in secure satellite communications and space-based infrastructure. This strategic partnership ensures a strong role for the domestic space sector, while reinforcing the government's commitment to Arctic security, Canadian sovereignty and creating high-quality jobs with our generational investments in defence.
The announcement demonstrates Canada's commitment to modernizing military capabilities, supporting NATO and NORAD priorities, and ensuring that Canadian innovation plays a central role in meeting emerging threats.
