Partnership to Deliver Next-Gen Military Satellite Communications Solution Announced
Telesat to Work With Canadian Government, MDA Space
A strategic partnership agreement to develop and deliver a multi-frequency, Arctic military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) capability to the Canadian Armed Forces has been formed among the Government of Canada, Telesat Corporation and MDA Space.
“The Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar marks a critical advancement for Canada’s defense and sovereignty, particularly across our Arctic and northern regions.”
The Honorable David McGuinty, Minister of National Defense
Leveraging over 55 years of satellite engineering and operations excellence, Telesat will play a pivotal role in delivering a state-of-the-art MILSATCOM architecture for Canada’s Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP-P). The narrowband and wideband solution will strengthen and safeguard Canada’s Arctic sovereignty while bolstering Canada’s NORAD and NATO commitments.
The execution of the ESCP-P procurement is being led by the newly formed Defense Investment Agency (DIA), leveraging a strategic partner model that will harness industry and government expertise in the design, development and delivery of advanced defense programs on a meaningfully accelerated timeline.
“The Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar marks a critical advancement for Canada’s defense and sovereignty, particularly across our Arctic and northern regions. 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,” said The Honorable David McGuinty, Canada’s Minister of National Defense. “This investment also reaffirms Canada’s steadfast commitment to our key partners, including the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. And it underscores our determination to meet our sovereign defense objectives as outlined in Canada’s defense policy, Our North, Strong and Free.”
The strategic partnership agreement follows an extensive industry engagement process – anchored by Requests for Information (RFI) submissions – and reflects the government’s confidence in Telesat’s engineering excellence and decades-long track record in supporting mission-critical Arctic connectivity for the Canadian Armed Forces.
The ESCP-P project represents a multi-billion dollar investment by Canada and will act as a catalyst for significant investment, job creation and economic growth in Canada through its world-class space supply chain.
“For decades, Telesat has proudly supported the mission-critical connectivity needs of the Canadian Armed Forces. Along with MDA Space, we are honored to be chosen as strategic partners in modernizing Canada’s defense capabilities and expanding secure, resilient communications infrastructure,” said Dan Goldberg, president and CEO, Telesat. “We commend the government’s forward-thinking approach to defense 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.”
Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy will apply to ESCP-P, ensuring the project advances innovation, strengthens Canada’s domestic defense and space sectors, and creates high-value jobs for Canadians. By applying the ITB Policy, this partnership will bring together stakeholders across Canada’s space sector, including small and medium-sized businesses. This collaboration will increase economic benefits and further strengthen Canada’s capabilities in space and defense.