Telesat signs CAD 2.3 billion Arctic military satcom contract with Canada Defence Investment Agency

Telesat signed a CAD 2.3 billion 15-year Lightspeed services contract with Canada’s Defence Investment Agency for secure Mil-Ka Arctic connectivity.

The deal includes two five-year options worth about CAD 200 million each, lifting the potential total value to CAD 2.7 billion.

The contract funds 69 additional Lightspeed satellites, expanding the initial constellation to 225, built by MDA Space, with launches on SpaceX Falcon 9.

Milestone-based government payments are set to start in Q3 2026; service is expected to begin in 2028, while global Lightspeed service is still targeted for Q1 2028.

Telesat’s total expected investment in the 225-satellite network is about CAD 7 billion, with CAD 2.7 billion invested to date.