- CSG acquired a 9.5% stake in MDA Space (TSX:MDA), becoming the Canadian space company’s largest shareholder
- The investment supports CSG’s long-term strategy to expand into the growing global space sector, which it views as closely linked to defence and aerospace
- CSG plans to explore future collaboration with MDA Space and has launched a dedicated space team to lead its expansion and investment efforts in the industry
- MDA Space stock (TSX:MDA) last traded at C$40.62
Czech industrial and defence group CSG has acquired a 9.5% stake in MDA Space (TSX:MDA), making it the Canadian space technology firm’s largest shareholder and marking a significant step in CSG’s long-term expansion into the space sector.
CSG said the investment reflects its view that defence and space activities are increasingly interconnected. The company believes that developing capabilities in space is a natural extension of its existing operations across defence and aerospace markets. The group noted that the global space economy is expected to triple in size and reach approximately US$1.8 trillion by 2035, supported by growing public and private investment as well as an estimated US$74 billion in global government space-defence spending in 2025.
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According to CSG, the investment is part of a broader strategy to gradually build a presence in the space industry through disciplined capital allocation, strategic partnerships and targeted investments. The company said it sees MDA Space as an attractive opportunity due to its technological capabilities, diversified business activities, established industrial scale and exposure to both commercial and government space markets.
CSG indicated that the shareholding could create opportunities for future collaboration between the two companies. Potential areas of cooperation may include co-investment in manufacturing and assembly facilities in Europe, joint participation in strategic acquisitions and leveraging CSG’s international customer relationships to support MDA Space’s global growth ambitions.
“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,”CSG’s chairman of the board, Michal Strnad, stated in a media release. “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.”
The investment follows a series of smaller venture capital investments made through CSG-backed Tech Horizons VC, including investments in UK-based satellite thermal imaging company SatVu and German space logistics startup Atmos Space Cargo. The MDA Space holding is being managed through a dedicated subsidiary established for the investment.
Alongside the announcement, CSG unveiled the creation of a dedicated space team tasked with leading the group’s long-term activities in the sector.
The new team will be headed by Ladislav Stahl, who will serve as head of space strategy and technology. Stahl previously served as a NATO space advisor and will focus on shaping the company’s strategic direction in the industry. Filip Kocián has been appointed space director for corporate development and will oversee investment and growth initiatives, drawing on his experience in the global space sector.
The group has also appointed Cameron McKenzie, a veteran Canadian aerospace and defence executive, as Senior Adviser. McKenzie will be responsible for supporting CSG’s activities and expansion efforts in Canada.
The company added that the formation of the dedicated team, together with its investment in MDA Space, underscores its commitment to establishing a long-term presence in the rapidly growing global space industry. The company added that it intends to pursue opportunities that align with its expertise in defence, aerospace and advanced technologies while seeking partnerships that can support future growth in both commercial and government markets.
MDA Space Ltd. is one of Canada’s largest and most established space technology companies, best known for robotics systems such as Canadarm and its involvement in government and commercial satellite missions. The company has been expanding rapidly into next‑generation satellite manufacturing, Earth observation systems, and deep-space robotics.
MDA Space stock (TSX:MDA) closed trading 1.10% higher at C$40.62 and has risen 52.48% since the year began.
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