CSG buys 9.5% of Canada’s MDA Space as Strnad enters the space sector
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The arms group CSG of Czech billionaire Michal Strnad has acquired a 9.5% stake in the Canadian company MDA Space, which develops technology for the space industry. CSG thus became the largest shareholder of MDA Space — and made its first truly big step beyond the defence and aviation industries.
The investment is part of CSG’s long-term plan to expand its business from defence and aviation into space technology. The group intends to look gradually for points of cooperation with MDA Space. Options include jointly building production and assembly capacity in Europe, as well as joint purchases of other companies.
CSG has already assembled a team of experts for its space push. It includes Ladislav Štál, a former NATO adviser on space, and investment expert Filip Kocián. Cameron McKenzie, an experienced manager from the aviation and defence industry, will be responsible for developing activity in Canada.
“MDA Space is a recognised, well-managed and profitable company that is growing and has exceptional technological capabilities. It works across a broad range of areas, from satellite systems and robotics to space operations, geospatial intelligence and defence technology,” said CSG chairman Michal Strnad. According to him, the cooperation could widen the product range for the group’s customers at a time when the importance of space technology for security is growing.
The deal continues CSG’s earlier line: the group has previously made smaller investments in the space companies SatVu in the United Kingdom and Atmos Space Cargo in Germany.
The market Strnad is targeting is huge. The global space economy is estimated to reach USD 1.8 trillion (about CZK 39.26 billion) by 2035. In 2025, global government spending on space defence was roughly USD 74 billion (about CZK 1.6 trillion).
CSG itself is one of the largest players in Czech industry: its companies employ more than 14,000 people, and its 2025 revenue was EUR 6.7 billion (about CZK 163.32 billion).
