The Department of National Defence is looking to the U.S. military as it sets the stage for a new Canadian Forces space project that could cost up to $400 million. Read MoreDefence department seeking information from U.S. military on American-supplied equipment
Defence department seeking information from U.S. military on American-supplied equipment
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The Department of National Defence is looking to the U.S. military as it sets the stage for a new Canadian Forces space project that could cost up to $400 million.
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The department has contacted the U.S. Space Systems Command as part of the early stages for Canada’s proposed Space Command and Control (Space C2) project.
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“Space Systems Command received a Letter of Request for services including investigation of capabilities and Pricing and Availability from a Partner Nation regarding a potential Foreign Military Sales,” noted the recent posting from the U.S. command.
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Canada was named as the partner nation.
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“Request for Information is for market research purposes to obtain price, delivery, or capabilities for planning purposes,” the notice added.
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There is no guarantee there will be a contract at this point, according to the document.
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“Vendors are invited to provide information on existing or planned solutions that could support Space C2 requirements,” added the U.S. Space Systems Command.
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The Space Command and Control project was originally estimated to cost $200 million, according to an April 2025 briefing for Canadian defence industry officials that was obtained by the Ottawa Citizen.
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But now the cost range has increased to between $200 million and $400 million, DND confirmed. The department did not explain why the estimated price tag has climbed.
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The system is expected to be operational starting in 2031.
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The system will gather a variety of space data, from Canadian, allied and commercial sensors, and combine that information for use in Canadian operations and for protecting the North American continent. The new system would also make use of automation and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and speed up decision-making for military commanders.
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The request on how the U.S. could contribute to the new project comes in the midst of an effort by Prime Minister Mark Carney to provide more business to Canadian space companies.
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On Dec. 9, it announced an alliance with Telesat in Ottawa and MDA, both high-profile Canadian space companies, to work on a new DND satellite system. Various cabinet ministers, including Defence Minister David McGuinty, were on hand to praise the Canadian space industry’s expertise, which is considered among the best in the world.
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