MDA Space awarded $100M contract for IRIS² satellite antennas
Announced 30 October 2026, the agreement covers antenna hardware for the first 66 satellites of the EU secure communications constellation.
By Yara Castellanos · 5dMONTREAL, Canada, Oct 30, 2026 - MDA Space has received formal authorization to proceed with development of digital phased array antennas and antenna controllers for the first 66 satellites of the European Union IRIS² secure communications constellation.
The initial agreement is held with prime contractor Thales Alenia Space, valued at over $100 million. All antenna hardware will be built in Montreal.
Prior contracts for IRIS² satellite manufacturing and core payload development were awarded during August and September 2026 to Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB and Aerospacelab.
The first layer of IRIS² satellites carrying MDA's antenna systems is scheduled for launch in 2029.
Impact Insight.
Secure sovereign communications constellations provide encrypted, disruption-resistant connectivity for government, emergency response and defence operations, separate from public commercial satellite networks. This contract award finalises a critical payload subsystem for the initial IRIS² deployment, clearing a major milestone ahead of launch manifest allocation and vehicle integration work.
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