Government of Canada Invests in Montreal Aerospace and Defence Firm

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - March 25, 2011) - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced a repayable government investment of $32.4 million in a $108-million project being undertaken by Ultra Electronics TCS. The project calls for the research and development of a new generation of tactical radio systems for military and government security applications.

The investment will be made through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI).

"Through investments like this one in Ultra, our government is not only helping Canada reach the forefront of the international aerospace and defence industry but also supporting the hardworking men and women who make it what it is today," said Minister Clement.

Ultra's project will advance the level of Canadian know-how and expertise in the field of tactical military communications. The products and technologies in development will provide soldiers with the critical communications equipment they need to reliably exchange vital mission data.

"Our primary business strategy is to be the leading supplier of tactical military communications equipment worldwide," said Iwan Jemczyk, President of Ultra Electronics TCS. "This SADI investment will fund critical R&D efforts to make our products lighter, smaller, more ruggedized and, ultimately, more competitive."

Ultra Electronics TCS has a long history of collaboration with the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) in Montréal. ÉTS students will be among the skilled resources that will support the high-capacity radio project.

"The government continues to invest in innovative projects that have an impact on the aerospace and defence sector in Quebec," said the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Mégantic–L'Érable. "We want to ensure Quebecers secure high-wage knowledge jobs in the economy of tomorrow."

SADI supports industrial research and pre-competitive development projects in the aerospace, defence, space and security industries.