Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the UAE’s flagship satellite solutions provider, has chosen Airbus Defence and Space SAS (Airbus) to manufacture its new geostationary telecommunications satellites, Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5).
This follows the AED18.7 billion ($5.1 billion) mandate awarded to Yahsat by the UAE government in Q3 2023 for provision of satellite communications capacity and managed services for 17 years, primarily on the two new satellites.
Airbus, one of the leading satellite manufacturers in the world, 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 multiband 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 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 (low earth orbit) satellite platforms will support Yahsat’s future direction of providing multiorbit satellite solutions to its customers.”
The full cost of the AY4 and AY5 procurement programme, including spacecraft, ground segment infrastructure, launch and insurance, is expected to reach approximately AED3.9 billion ($1.1 billion). The programme will initially be funded using Yahsat’s own resources ahead of the receipt of AED3.7 billion ($1 billion] in the form of an advance payment from the UAE government.
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.
Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, added: “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 is currently developing the Thuraya 4 satellite (T4) for Yahsat Government Solutions as well as Thuraya, its commercial satellite solutions arm. T4 is due to be launched in the second half of 2024 and enter service in the second half of 2025.
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