CSG Group, an international industrial and defence group, has announced its entry into the space sector through the acquisition of shares, giving it a 9.5% stake in MDA Space and making it, for now, the company’s largest shareholder.
According to the relevant press release, MDA Space is among the largest companies in the sector and is a leading global provider of advanced space technologies and services. Its shares are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.
Strategic expansion into the space sector
Defence and space are inextricably linked, according to CSG Group, which sees the development of space capabilities as a natural extension of its existing defence and aerospace businesses.
The global space economy is forecast to triple to $1.8 trillion by 2035, while global government spending on space defence reached about $74 billion in 2025.
Against this backdrop, the group plans to build its presence gradually, through careful capital allocation, the use of in-house expertise, strategic partnerships and selected investments.
The stake in MDA Space was acquired through a dedicated subsidiary and forms part of CSG’s long-term strategy. The investment follows smaller venture capital investments through its Tech Horizons VC fund in UK-based SatVu and Germany’s Atmos Space Cargo.
Potential areas of co-operation with MDA Space
CSG Group sees its stake as an opportunity to explore future co-operation with MDA Space. Potential areas include joint investment in manufacturing or assembly facilities in Europe, co-operation on strategic acquisitions and the use of CSG’s customer network to support MDA Space’s international growth.
The group believes MDA Space combines technological expertise, diversified operations, established industrial scale and a presence in both commercial and government markets.
CSG Group Chairman Michal Strnad said: “MDA Space is a highly respected, well-managed, profitable and growing space company, with exceptional technological capabilities and a diversified presence in satellite systems, robotics and space operations, geospatial intelligence and defence-related applications.
MDA Space’s capabilities and experience will be particularly important as CSG Group develops its own position in the space sector in partnership with MDA Space. This is a strategic investment that reflects CSG Group’s conviction about the growing importance of space and MDA Space’s role as a key player in the industry.
We want to become a long-term strategic shareholder and see significant potential for MDA Space and CSG Group to grow in parallel. We expect CSG Group’s customers to benefit from a much broader and more comprehensive range of products at a time when our security increasingly depends on space applications.”
MDA Space chief executive Mike Greenley said: “We welcome CSG Group’s investment in MDA Space and its position as a strategic investor. CSG Group is a leading European industrial group, with a proven track record in developing high-quality defence businesses.
As countries around the world seek to increase national investment in defence and space, broadening MDA Space’s global investor network is a strategic tool for the continued growth of our business. With CSG Group joining our shareholder base, MDA Space continues to strengthen its base of investors and business partners in Europe.
We look forward to a long-term strategic partnership with CSG Group and to continuing to create value for all our shareholders.”
CSG Group Chief Investment Officer Stanislav Kuba said: “We approach space in the same way as all our expansion and investment decisions: with a long-term industrial outlook and strict financial discipline.
Building the team and making a strategic investment in an established space company give us two complementary advantages: expertise within CSG Group and direct exposure to one of the world’s most advanced space ecosystems.”
CSG Group’s new space team
Alongside its investment in MDA Space, CSG Group has assembled a dedicated team to develop its activities and expertise in the space sector. The executives bring experience in space, technology, defence, security and the Canadian aerospace and defence market.
Ladislav Stahl – Head of Space Strategy and Technology
Ladislav Stahl is an expert in defence and space security, with extensive experience in space intelligence, space operations and the development of national space capabilities.
He has served as an adviser on space intelligence and space security in the Intelligence Directorate at NATO Headquarters, and previously headed 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 executive specialising in the global space industry. He has provided advisory services on mergers and acquisitions, financing, markets and strategy across the space value chain.
He was previously an investment executive at Expansion Ventures, a European fund investing in growth-stage businesses in the space, aerospace and defence sectors. He was also a co-founder of Golem Ventures Space.
Cameron McKenzie – Senior Adviser, Canada
Cameron McKenzie is a senior executive in the Canadian aerospace and defence industry, with more than three decades of international experience in the sector. He previously served as Vice-President of Global Sales, Business Development and Customer Support at L3Harris Technologies’ WESCAM business and held senior management roles at CAE and the Canadian Commercial Corporation.
He will advise CSG Group on the Canadian market and on developing its relationships across the aerospace, defence and space ecosystem.