Czechoslovak Group Acquires Stake in Canadian Space Company MDA Space

The Czech defense and industrial group Czechoslovak Group (CSG) has acquired a 9.5% stake in the Canadian company MDA Space to develop its own space technology division, particularly for military applications.

The company announced this in its official press release.

MDA Space specializes in satellite systems, space robotics, and geospatial intelligence. Its technologies support satellite communications, Earth observation, space operations, and defense missions.

The company has over 55 years of industry experience, has participated in more than 450 space missions, and employs over 4,000 people.

As part of a potential partnership, the parties are considering joint investments in manufacturing and assembly facilities in Europe, as well as the acquisition of other companies in the space sector. In addition, the Czech group could leverage its connections with defense contractors to promote Canadian technologies in international markets.

At the same time, the group has not yet announced specific production sites, investment amounts, or timelines for joint projects. CSG will hold the acquired stake through a specially created subsidiary.

To develop its space division, the group has formed a separate team of specialists. Ladislav Štal, who previously served as an advisor on space intelligence and security in the intelligence division at NATO headquarters, has been appointed head of space strategy and technology.

Before that, he headed the Czech Satellite Center and worked on Earth observation, orbital situation monitoring, space threat analysis, and developing national space capabilities.

Philip Kocian, who previously worked at the venture capital fund Expansion Ventures, will be responsible for investments and corporate development. Cameron McKenzie, former vice president of the WESCAM division at L3Harris Technologies, will oversee the expansion of operations in the Canadian market.

“We expect that CSG’s clients will be able to access a significantly broader and more comprehensive range of products in an era when our security increasingly depends on the application of space technologies,” said Michal Strnad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Czechoslovak Group (CSG).

The group had previously invested in space technologies through the Tech Horizons VC venture capital fund. Specifically, it directed funds to the British company SatVu, which specializes in thermal satellite observation, and the German company Atmos Space Cargo, which develops space transportation systems.

According to CSG’s projections, the global space economy could triple by 2035 and reach $1.8 trillion. At the same time, global government spending on space defense programs in 2025 was estimated at approximately $74 billion.

The Czech defense-industrial group includes Excalibur Army, Tatra Trucks, MSM Group, and The Kinetic Group. Its production facilities are in Europe, the U.S., and Asia, and its 2025 revenue totaled EUR 6.7 billion.

Militarnyi previously reported that CSG plans to manufacture about 850,000 large-caliber rounds in 2026, some intended for Ukraine. This is 300,000 more than the group produced in 2025.