Editor’s Note
Welcome to the inaugural briefing of In Defence of Canada published every Thursday. We launch during a landmark week for the sector; MDA Space has just reported record annual revenues of $1.6 billion, driven largely by a surge in defence and satellite demand. This performance, backed by a $40 billion industry pipeline, underscores a broader trend: Canadian space capabilities are no longer auxiliary—they are central to our national security architecture.
From the rapid stand-up of defence-focused subsidiaries like 49North to new domestic launch initiatives, this newsletter is designed to track the critical news and procurement shifts that are moving Canada’s defence industry in real-time.
Marc Boucher
Editor-in-Chief
SpaceQ Media Inc.
There may be some changes to the design of the newsletter over the coming issues as we assess how it’s being received. If you feel we’ve missed something, or there is a topic that needs more coverage, please reach out to me directly at mboucher@spaceq.ca.
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The Lead
1. MDA Space: $1.6B Revenue and a $40B Market Signal
The primary story for this week is MDA Space’s record-breaking fiscal 2025 results, released on March 4. The company reported $1.6 billion in revenue (up 51%) and a $4 billion contracted backlog. Beyond the immediate numbers, CEO Mike Greenley highlighted a $40 billion industry pipeline, with $10 billion specifically linked to government and follow-on contracts, signalling a massive scale-up in sovereign defence spending.
2. Arctic Sovereignty: Stantec Selected for Early-Warning Radar Network
In a major step for NORAD modernization and Arctic defence, the federal government tapped a consortium led by Stantec on March 4 to deliver the engineering and design for the new Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) network. This multi-disciplinary mandate marks the start of a validation phase in Q1 2026, aimed at strengthening Canada’s critical early-warning infrastructure in the North. The consortium also includes Aecon and Pomerleau.
3. SME Procurement: $1.1M for Tactical AI in Aerospace
Highlighting movement for smaller domestic players, the federal government announced $1.1 million in funding on March 3 for Medicine Hat-based Landing Zones Canada. This investment supports the development of AI-driven, high-altitude remotely piloted aircraft designed to replace single-use weather balloons with reusable, autonomous systems for atmospheric sampling and defence applications.
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Tactical Briefs
Canada Secures 80% Content Exemption in EU Defence Deals: Following the signing of the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) agreement, Canadian space contractors have secured a bespoke exemption allowing up to 80% domestic content on joint procurements. This opens a direct pathway for firms like NorthStar Earth and Space and Telesat to bid on multi-billion dollar European contracts for space surveillance and secure LEO communications.
Sovereign Launch: Maritime Launch Services (MLS) Partners with South Korea: On March 3, Maritime Launch Services signed a Letter of Intent with South Korea’s INNOSPACE to explore hosting the HANBIT launch system at Spaceport Nova Scotia. The partnership aims to establish licensed infrastructure capable of delivering responsive, reliable orbital access for both commercial and defense customers by the end of 2026.
The first contracts for the $105 million DND IDEaS Launch the North challenge is expected soon: The anticipation of who might get funded has been building for some time. Will there be any surprises? Stay tuned.
Top Space Commander Warns of “Cataclysmic” Nuclear Risks: Brigadier-General Christopher Horner, Commander of 3 Canadian Space Division, has issued a stark warning regarding the vulnerability of orbital infrastructure to nuclear-driven Electromagnetic Pulses (EMPs). While diplomacy remains the primary deterrent, Horner emphasizes that tactical resilience—including hardening satellite circuits and establishing sovereign space launch—is essential to ensuring Canada can navigate the “active battleground” of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is already experiencing saturation-level jamming.
Federal Government Injects $7M into CDL Defence: Ottawa is pivoting from policy to practice by funneling nearly $7 million into the recently launched Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) Defence accelerator. This investment, delivered through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), is specifically designed to fast-track the commercialization of dual-use technologies—such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)—helping domestic startups bridge the gap between breakthrough research and official government procurement.
Canada-Japan ETTA Opens New Aerospace Corridors: A new Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement (ETTA) signed between Canada and Japan is set to reshape bilateral space defense cooperation. By allowing the co-development and export of defense-related intellectual property, the ETTA provides the Canadian Armed Forces with an additional source of supply while moving both nations away from a traditional dependency on U.S.-sourced hardware for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and secure communications.
Global Watch
EU Space Shield Action Plan
The European Union is formalizing a “European Space Shield” as a priority flagship initiative for 2026 to reinforce the protection of space assets and reduce strategic dependencies.
Japan & Lockheed Martin Anti-Jamming Payload
Lockheed Martin will provide an advanced anti-jamming communications payload for Japan’s next-generation defense satellites, integrated by Mitsubishi Electric.
UK Space Funding: £500M Strategic Allocation
UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd announced £500 million for national space programs focusing on Satellite Communications, Space Domain Awareness, and In-Orbit Servicing.
Spanish Success: PLD Space Raises €180M
PLD Space secured €180 million in Series C funding, led by Mitsubishi Electric, to scale the production of its MIURA 5 orbital rocket.
Australian Hypersonic Milestone: DART AE Flight
Hypersonix Launch Systems successfully completed the maiden flight of its DART AE aircraft, reaching speeds above Mach 5 in tests conducted from Wallops Island, US.
Diplomatic Momentum: Prime Minister Mark Carney in Australia
Canadian PM Mark Carney is in Sydney discussing new partnerships with Prime Minister Albanese in defence, security, and AI, marking the first visit by a Canadian PM to Australia in nearly 20 years.
Feature Analysis: Modernizing the Northern Shield
The selection of the Stantec-Aecon-Pomerleau consortium to deliver Canada’s Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) marks a critical milestone in the modernization of NORAD. Tasked with the design and engineering of this high-frequency radar network, the group will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the ability to detect over-the-horizon threats long before they reach sovereign airspace.
The project begins with a validation phase in Q1 2026, focusing on the technical requirements for a system that can withstand the extreme environmental rigors of the North while providing a 24/7 early-warning capability. As part of a broader multi-billion dollar commitment to continental defense, this infrastructure is essential for closing existing surveillance gaps in the Arctic—ensuring that Canada maintains a persistent, sovereign presence in an increasingly contested region.
Opinion: Space as Sovereign Infrastructure
Jennifer Stewart, CEO of Syntax Strategic, argues in her op-ed “Space Isn’t Science Fiction. It’s Canada’s Sovereignty Infrastructure“ that Canada must shift its perception of space from distant “science fiction” to foundational national infrastructure.
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Do you have a perspective on the shifting gravity of Canada’s defence industrial strategy? We welcome contributed insights from industry leaders and policy experts—reach out to our editorial team to share your view. Submit an opinion for consideration to opinion@spaceq.ca.
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