6-K
Foreign issuer report
✓ VerifiedTelesat signed a $2.3 billion contract with Canada's Defence Investment Agency for Mil-Ka Arctic connectivity, expanding the Telesat Lightspeed constellation from 156 to 225 satellites, a 44% capacity increase.
Filed Aug 4, 2026 · 07:51 ET
Summary
- Telesat LEO ULC signed a $2.3 billion Telesat Lightspeed services contract with Canada's Defence Investment Agency to deliver secure Military Ka-band Arctic connectivity to the Canadian Armed Forces under the Enhanced Satellite Communications Project - Polar (ESCP-P) program.
- The contract includes two five-year option periods valued at approximately $200 million each, bringing the total contract value to $2.7 billion, all in Canadian dollars.
- The contract runs 15 years including option years, with service beginning in 2028, and adds 69 fully funded satellites to bring the initial constellation from 156 to 225 satellites, all built by MDA Space.
- The expansion will be funded through milestone-based payments from the Government of Canada starting in Q3 2026, and brings Telesat's total expected network investment to approximately $7 billion, with $2.7 billion invested to date.
- The 69 additional satellites will be built by MDA Space in Montreal and launched by SpaceX on Falcon 9 rockets, with Mil-Ka connectivity spanning Canada's Arctic region from 65 to 90 degrees North latitude.
- Telesat Lightspeed global service delivery remains on track for Q1 2028, and Telesat hosted an investor call on August 4, 2026 to discuss the contract and updated financial outlook.
Key facts
- Contract value
- $2.3 billion
From the filing for Contract value
“today announced that it has signed a $2.3 billion Telesat Lightspeed services contract with Canada's Defence Investment Agency (DIA)”
- Total contract value with options
- $2.7 billion
From the filing for Total contract value with options
“two five-year option periods valued at approximately $200 million each, bringing the total contract value to $2.7 billion”
- Capacity increase
- 44%
From the filing for Capacity increase
“expanding Telesat Lightspeed network and capacity by 44%”
- Constellation expansion
- from 156 to 225 satellites
From the filing for Constellation expansion
“expand its Telesat Lightspeed network by 69 fully funded satellites, bringing the initial constellation from 156 to 225 satellites”
- Contract term
- 15 years of service
From the filing for Contract term
“The contract is for a period of 15 years of service, including the option years, with service under the contract beginning in 2028”
- Total network investment
- approximately $7 billion
From the filing for Total network investment
“brings Telesat's total expected investment in its network of 225 satellites to approximately $7 billion, with $2.7 billion invested to date”
- Arctic coverage
- 65 to 90 degrees North latitude
From the filing for Arctic coverage
“Telesat will deliver Mil-Ka connectivity across Canada's Arctic region to the CAF, spanning 65 to 90 degrees North latitude”
- Milestone payments start
- Q3 2026
From the filing for Milestone payments start
“The expansion will be funded through milestone-based payments from the Government of Canada starting in Q3 2026”
Why it mattersThe contract funds a 69-satellite expansion of Telesat Lightspeed and sets Arctic Mil-Ka service for the Canadian Armed Forces beginning in 2028. It defines new build and launch commitments with MDA Space and SpaceX.
- Filed
- Aug 4, 2026
- Accepted
- 2026-08-04 11:51Z
- Period
- Aug 4, 2026
- Accession no.
- 0001213900-26-084907
- Size
- 57 KB
- Index
- Filing index