MDA signs $254 million contract to provide communication satellite system to Ukraine

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that it has signed a $254 million dollar (US) contract to provide a communication satellite system to the National Space Agency of Ukraine (NSAU). The financing for this project is provided by Export Development Canada (EDC). As Prime Contractor, MDA will build and launch a geostationary communications satellite and provide two satellite control centers and other associated ground infrastructure. The communications satellite will support direct broadcast television and high-speed Internet access to the country of Ukraine and surrounding areas. MDA and the Ukrainian Space Agency are finalizing specifications, and other requirements, over the next succeeding months. Mr. Zinchenko, President of NSAU said, 'We are very excited for this contract award, which is the first major step in a long-term strategic partnership between NSAU and MDA in the fields of satellite communications and Earth observation'. Don Osborne, the vice president responsible for this business said, 'This is the second large win for MDA in the Commonwealth of Independent States. This opportunity is particularly exciting as it has brought together best in class Canadian information solutions with financing from EDC to meet the needs of the Ukraine National Space Agency'.