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Yahsat contracts
Airbus for the construction of Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5
satellites 10 June 2024 Al Yah Satellite Communications
Company PJSC (Yahsat), has contracted Airbus
Defence and Space SAS (“Airbus”), a leading
satellite manufacturer, for its new geostationary
telecommunications satellites, Al Yah 4 (“AY4”) and
Al Yah 5 (“AY5”). The significant step follows
the signing of an Authorisation-to-Proceed with
Airbus (“Airbus ATP”) in Q2 2023 to commence initial
activities in relation to the AY4 and AY5 satellite
programme, and the subsequent award by the UAE
Government in Q3 2023 of an AED 18.7 billion [USD
5.1 billion] mandate for the provision of satellite
communications capacity and managed services for 17
years, primarily on AY4 and AY5. Airbus will design and build
the AY4 and AY5 satellites based on the Eurostar Neo
platform, with each having flexible payloads and
benefiting from the strong heritage of the Eurostar
family. The flexible multi-band payloads can be
fully reconfigured while in orbit, capable of
adjusting the coverage area, capacity and frequency
“on the fly” to meet evolving mission scenarios. Both AY4 and AY5 satellites
will offer secure governmental communications over a
wide geographical area across the Middle East,
Africa, Europe and Asia. The new advanced satellites
will eventually replace Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, which
were launched in 2011 and 2012, respectively, and
based on a previous version of the Airbus-built
Eurostar platform. Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief
Executive Officer of Yahsat, commented: “We are
delighted to sign this contract with Airbus as part
of our continuous efforts to enhance our satellite
communications capabilities with the next generation
of satellites. This is a significant step in
Yahsat’s growth trajectory. The Al Yah 4 and Al Yah
5 satellites will enable us to provide the UAE
Government with new cutting-edge solutions.
Additionally, the two new LEO satellite platforms
will support Yahsat’s future direction of providing
multi-orbit satellite solutions to its customers.” Alain Fauré, Head of Space
Systems at Airbus, said: “Today marks a real
milestone with Yahsat selecting our pioneering fully
flexible satellite technology. Sixteen years ago, we
signed our first contract with Yahsat, bringing the
first sovereign telecommunications satellite to the
UAE. And now, our long-standing relationship is
moving up a gear with this contract for two Eurostar
Neos, further strengthening Yahsat’s in-orbit
resources.” Airbus will design and
manufacture both satellites and will also provide
ground control segment components. Both spacecraft
will have a design life of 15 years and are planned
to be launched in 2027 and 2028 respectively. The full cost of the AY4 and
AY5 procurement programme, encompassing spacecraft,
ground segment infrastructure, launch and insurance,
is expected to reach approximately AED 3.9 billion
[USD 1.1 billion]. The programme will initially be
funded using Yahsat’s own resources ahead of the
receipt of AED 3.7 billion [USD 1.0 billion] in the
form of an advance payment from the UAE Government. Airbus is currently developing
the Thuraya 4 satellite (“T4”) for Yahsat Government
Solutions as well as Yahsat’s commercial satellite
solutions arm, Thuraya. T4 is also based on the
Eurostar Neo platform and is due to be launched in
the second half of 2024 and enter service in the
second half of 2025.
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