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CSG
enters the space sector through
investment in MDA Space
October 13. 2026
CSG invests in a
9.5% stake in MDA Space.
The investment
forms part of CSG’s long-term strategy
to develop space capabilities to
complement its existing defence and
aerospace businesses
CSG has also
created a core team of senior space and
defence professionals to lay the
foundations for a broader team and the
expansion of its activities in the
sector
CSG (‘the Group’),
a global industrial and defence group,
today announces its entry into the space
sector through the acquisition of shares
resulting in a 9.5% equity position in
MDA Space Ltd. (‘MDA Space’), making CSG
MDA Space’s largest shareholder at this
time. MDA Space is one of the largest
space companies and a leading global
provider of advanced space technologies
and services listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.
Defence and space
are tightly interconnected. Developing
capabilities in space is a natural
extension of the Group’s existing
activities in defence and aerospace. The
global space economy is projected to
triple and reach $1.8 trillion by 2035,
with commitments signalling a clear,
multi-year acceleration in in-space
investment, including approximately $74
billion in global government
space-defence spending in 2025. Against
this backdrop, the Group intends to
develop its presence progressively
through careful capital allocation,
leveraging internal expertise alongside
partnerships and selective strategic
investments.
CSG views this
strategic investment in MDA Space as an
opportunity to explore potential
cooperation between the two groups over
time. Such cooperation could include
co-investing in manufacturing or
assembly facilities in Europe,
partnering on strategic acquisitions,
and otherwise seeking to introduce CSG’s
customer relationships to MDA Space to
support MDA Space’s international
growth. This investment follows
previously announced smaller-scale
venture capital investments, made
through Tech Horizons VC fund, in SatVu
in the UK and Atmos Space Cargo in
Germany. The stake in MDA Space is held
by a dedicated subsidiary.
This investment
forms part of Group’s broader long-term
strategy in the space sector. Group
believes that MDA Space offers a
compelling combination of technological
depth, diversified activities,
established industrial scale and
exposure to both commercial and
government markets.
CSG also announces
the creation of a dedicated space team
to develop its long-term activities in
the sector. The team brings together
senior expertise from space and
technology, defence and national
security, as well as from the Canadian
aerospace and defence market. The team
will initially comprise the newly
created roles of Head of Space Strategy
and Technology (which will be held by
Ladislav Stahl, a former NATO space
advisor) and Space Director for
Corporate Development (which will be
held by Filip Kocián, an expert
investment and corporate development
professional specialising in the global
space industry). They will be joined by
Cameron McKenzie, a senior Canadian
aerospace and defence executive, who
will take responsibility for CSG’s
activities and expansion in Canada in
his role as Senior Adviser.
Michal Strnad,
Chairman of the Board of CSG, said:
“MDA Space is a highly respected, well
led, profitable and growing space
company with exceptional technological
capabilities and a diversified position
across satellite systems, robotics and
space operations, geointelligence and
defence-related applications.
“MDA Space’s
capabilities and experience will be
highly relevant as CSG develops its own
position in the space sector in
cooperation with MDA Space. This is a
strategic investment that reflects CSG’s
conviction in the growing importance of
space and in MDA Space as a key player
in the sector. We want to be a long-term
strategic shareholder and see
significant potential for MDA Space and
CSG to grow alongside each other.We
expect that CSG’s customers will be able
to benefit from a much wider and more
complex product offering in an era of
rapidly increasing dependency of our
security on space applications.”
Mike Greenley,
Chief Executive Officer of MDA Space,
said:
"We welcome CSG’s investment in MDA
Space, and its position as a strategic
investor. CSG is a leading European
industrial group with a proven track
record in building high-quality defence
businesses. As countries around the
world look to increase their sovereign
defence and space investments, the
expansion of MDA Space’s global investor
network is a strategic tool for
continued expansion of our business.
With this addition of CSG to our group
of shareholders, MDA Space continues to
strengthen its investor and business
partner base in Europe. We are looking
forward to a long-term strategic
partnership with CSG and to continuing
to create value for all our
shareholders."
Stanislav Kuba,
Investment Director of CSG, said:
“We are approaching space in the same
way we approach all our expansion and
investment decisions: with a long-term
industrial perspective and strict
financial discipline. Building the team
and taking a strategic investment in an
established space company gives us two
complementary foundations – expertise
within CSG and direct exposure to one of
the world’s most sophisticated space
ecosystems.”
CSG creates
dedicated space team
Alongside its
investment in MDA Space, CSG has
assembled a dedicated team to develop
its activities and expertise in the
space sector.
Ladislav Stahl –
Head of Space Strategy and Technology
Ladislav Stahl is a
defence and space-security specialist
with extensive experience in space
intelligence, space operations and the
development of national space
capabilities. He has served as Space
Intelligence and Space Security Advisor
within NATO Headquarters’ Intelligence
Division and previously led the Czech
Republic’s Satellite Centre. His
expertise includes Earth observation,
space-domain awareness, space security
and threats, orbital operations and the
development of emerging space
technologies.
Filip Kocián –
Space Director, Corporate Development
Filip Kocián is an
investment and corporate development
professional specialising in the global
space industry. He has advised on M&A,
financing, markets and strategy across
the space value chain and previously
held an investment role at Expansion
Ventures, a European early-stage space,
aerospace and defence investment fund.
He also co-founded Golem Ventures Space.
Cameron McKenzie
Senior Advisor, Canada
Cameron McKenzie is
a senior Canadian aerospace and defence
executive with more than three decades
of international industry experience. He
previously served as Vice President of
Global Sales, Business Development and
Customer Support at L3Harris
Technologies’ WESCAM business and held
senior leadership positions at CAE and
the Canadian Commercial Corporation. He
will advise CSG on the Canadian market
and the development of its relationships
across the aerospace, defence and space
ecosystem.
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