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Why it matters: The agreements bring a Norwegian defence supplier closer to two Canadian space companies as Ottawa and Oslo expand cooperation on space, the Arctic and submarines. The Prime Minister's Office cited the deals as evidence of growing business ties in space and defence. Both governments treat industry partnerships as part of the wider relationship.
The details:
The MDA Space MOU sets up a framework to explore joint space and defence projects and technical cooperation, according to KONGSBERG. The joint statement gives it a sharper focus: multi-domain capabilities and space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), including maritime situational awareness in the Arctic.
The Telesat LOI covers evaluating how to integrate the Telesat Lightspeed low Earth orbit network into KONGSBERG defence platforms and solution architectures. KONGSBERG says that would support secure, low-latency military connectivity for Norway, Canada and their allies. The joint statement describes the agreement as exploring collaboration opportunities tied to the Lightspeed network and its associated capabilities.
By the numbers:
Two: agreements KONGSBERG signed on the margins of the visit
More than 50: Norwegian companies with long-term footprints in Canada, per the joint statement
$76.5 million: KONGSBERG's investment in a marine simulation centre at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, per the joint statement
2023: year of the existing Canada-Norway defence cooperation MOU
What they're saying:
"Signing this MOU today responds to the strategic partnership between Norway and Canada announced in March. KONGSBERG is already present in Canada, and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration," said Camilla Kiss, president of Kongsberg Discovery and executive vice-president of KONGSBERG.
Jordan Freed, president of Kongsberg Geospatial, said the agreements reinforce the company's commitment to Canadian defence and security industries "from deep sea to outer space."
"This MOU is a reflection of the immediate opportunities for global industry leaders to work together to meet the defence and security needs of trusted partners and allies," said Mike Greenley, chief executive officer, MDA Space.
"This collaboration reflects the strength of the Canada-Norway strategic relationship and our shared commitment to advancing sovereign and allied defence capabilities," said Dan Goldberg, president and chief executive officer, Telesat.
The bigger picture:
The leaders said Canada's decision to join German-Norwegian Type 212CD submarine cooperation creates "a once-in-a-generation opportunity" to build a strategic partnership. They intend to pursue an enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement once Canadian Patrol Submarine Project negotiations conclude. It would build on the 2023 bilateral defence MOU.
On space, the Canadian Space Agency and Norwegian Space Agency finalized an MOU on space-based and dual-use capabilities for Arctic and northern needs. National Defence and Norway's Ministry of Defence are also implementing a letter of intent on responsive space capabilities. The two countries say they are working to improve interoperability between their satellite systems.
In the Arctic, the countries are setting up a bilateral Arctic Dialogue covering surveillance, situational awareness, interoperability and research and development. Their coast guards signed a partnership agreement in June and have run joint training exercises in Arctic waters.
Background: The joint statement describes KONGSBERG as a contributor to the 212CD combat management system. It also lists a partnership with NAV Canada on what it calls the world's largest remote digital air traffic services project, and a recent MOU with OSI Maritime Systems. KONGSBERG says it has operated in Canada for 50 years, and announced a NOK 1.1-billion PROTECTOR RS4 order from General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada on Aug. 20.
What's next: The releases give no timelines for either agreement. The PMO readout puts the defence cooperation agreement in the new year.
