By Adriano Marchese

MDA Space has launched a new subsidiary focused on defense-oriented command-and-control systems and mission-critical capabilities, expanding beyond space into broader national-security domains.

MDA, the Canadian space technology and robotics company, has created 49North which aims to deliver secure, multi-domain command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, also known as C4ISR, as well as technologies essential to defense missions for Canada's national military priorities outside the space domain.

The move comes after Ottawa announced its 6.6 billion Canadian-dollar($4.82 billion) Defense Industrial Strategy which plans to rebuild the country's defense-industrial base by steering more procurement, investment and research toward domestic firms.

49North's headquarters will be located in Ottawa, and will offer engineering discipline, operational reliability, mission assurance and program execution needed for large defense programs, it said.

Chief Executive Mike Greenley said that 49North is an extension and evolution of the company's typical space capabilities which will look to provide sovereign defense capabilities across all defense domains.

"49North enhances domestic industrial capacity and investment, and delivers the disciplined execution required to support Canada's sovereignty, security, and trusted allied partnerships," Greenley said.

Write to Adriano Marchese at adriano.marchese@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 19, 2026 09:13 ET (14:13 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.