On Friday it was revealed that the Defence Investment Agency is managing eight priority projects as of October 20, 2025, of which two are for space.

The information was tabled in Parliament in response to a written question by Conservative MP Scott Anderson. The question asked was;

With regard to the Defence Investment Agency under Public Services and Procurement Canada: what projects are currently being managed by the Defence Investment Agency, broken down by (i) air, (ii) land, (iii) sea, (iv) space, (v) cyber, (vi) emerging technologies, (vii) training and simulation, (viii) surveillance and reconnaissance, (ix) command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C41), (x) joint support and sustainment, (xi) missiles, rockets, ammunition and other munitions, (xii) personal equipment and protection systems, (xiii) real property?

The space projects are the Defence Enhanced Surveillance from Space Project and the Enhanced Satellite Communications Projects. Neither of these projects are new and have been under discussion for years. In fact, the Enhanced Satellite Communications Projects name has had several similar iterations over the years including the Enhanced Satellite Communication Project – Polar, and going back as far as 2007 when an early concept was known as the Polar Communications and Weather, then a civil project.

Another of the eight projects listed, though under the Air designation, is the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR). In March the government announced it was partnering with Australia for their OTHR technology. Then in July it announced two sites for the radar, both in Ontario, one just north of the Kawartha Lakes and the other in Clearview Township. The first is meant as “a permanent transmit site” and the later “a preliminary receive site.”

Illustration of the process through which the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) reflects radio waves to observe targets up to 3000 km away. The transmit beam travels from Earth, reflects off the ionosphere, and reaches a target area within the 'Illumination region.' The receive beam returns from the target via the ionosphere. The ionosphere is a curved layer above Earth.
Illustration of the process through which the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) reflects radio waves to observe targets up to 3000 km away. The transmit beam travels from Earth, reflects off the ionosphere, and reaches a target area within the ‘Illumination region.’ The receive beam returns from the target via the ionosphere. The ionosphere is a curved layer above Earth. Credit: Department of National Defence Credit: Department of National Defence

The five other Defence Investment Agency projects currently under management include;

  • (air) – Air Capability Program – Multi-Function Support (CC-144)
  • (air) – CC-130J Hercules In-Service Support & RCAF105 Block 8.1 Upgrade
  • (sea) – Canadian Patrol Submarine Project
  • (training and simulation) – Operational Training Infrastructure Enterprise Modernization
  • (surveillance and reconnaissance ) – Airborne Early Warning & Control

Of note while nothing was listed under “missiles, rockets, ammunition and other munitions,” we do know that the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), which is also under the DND, recently announced the Launch the North IDEaS challenge.

Marc Boucher is an entrepreneur, writer, editor, podcaster and publisher. He is the founder of SpaceQ Media. Marc has 30+ years working in various roles in media, space sector not-for-profits, and internet content development.

Marc started his first Internet creator content business in 1992 and hasn't looked back. When not working Marc loves to explore Canada, the world and document nature through his photography.

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