WASHINGTON — Canada’s Defense Investment Agency (DIA) has awarded Ottawa-based Telesat a 2.3 billion CAD ($1.6 billion) contract to provide secure military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) in the Arctic region, the government announced today.
Under the Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP-P), Telesat will deliver military Ka-band connectivity for a period of 5 years, with two additional five-year options valued at 214 million CAD and 218 million CAD, the company said in a press release today.
“Strengthening Northern and Arctic sovereignty is essential to our national security and is a priority for the Government of Canada,” Stephen Fuhr, secretary of state for defense procurement, said in a statement.
The deal covers an expansion of the company’s Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network by 69 satellites, going from 156 in production today to 225 — with Canadian satellite maker MDA subcontracted for the new birds, according to Telesat. MILSATCOM services to the Canadian Armed Forces, with coverage ranging from 65 to 90 degrees North latitude, are scheduled to begin in 2028.
In addition, according to the Telesat release, a separate agreement between DIA and the company will cover “end-to-end network integration services — including user terminals, ground and control infrastructure, training, and support services.”
