The recent Canadian trade mission to Japan concluded with Canadian companies securing $1.7 billion in commercial agreements. This activity is the result of the Canada-Japan Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement (ETTA). This bilateral framework officially entered into force on June 16. The policy enables direct cooperation on projects requiring the exchange of restricted equipment, technology, and intellectual property.
MDA Space announced a contract during the mission. Mitsubishi Electric selected the company to supply the digital payload, antennas, and associated subsystems for a next-generation defence communications satellite. The Japan Ministry of Defense ordered the system to replace the DSN-2 satellite, known as Kirameki–2, in geostationary orbit.
The supply chain for this contract utilizes multiple international sites. The MDA Space facility in the United Kingdom will provide the core technology for a dynamic, anti-jamming multi-beam payload equipped with digital beamforming capabilities. Meanwhile, the company facility in Montreal will manufacture and test the antenna solutions, including the analog repeater. Mitsubishi Electric will handle the final assembly, integration, and testing in Japan.
“Our advanced dual-use technologies combined with the expertise and reach of our global satellite team ideally position MDA Space to respond to robust demand for sovereign missions with secure and flexible capabilities,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space.
Beyond the MDA Space contract, RSAT Space of Montreal signed a partnership agreement with Japanese aerospace firm WARSPACE. The collaboration will focus on the development and integration of optical laser communications. Other Canadian space firms also joined the delegation, though any further deals remain private.
The trade delegation featured 300 business leaders from 175 Canadian corporations. The high volume of defence-oriented delegates reflects a shift in Canadian export policy toward the Indo-Pacific region. Japan is concurrently modernizing its military procurement to address regional security requirements. The bilateral agreements signed during the mission demonstrate the integration of Canadian hardware into allied defence architectures.
The MDA Space contract will enter the corporate backlog during the second quarter of fiscal 2026. Financial terms for both the MDA Space and RSAT Space agreements remain undisclosed.