Yahsat, the leading satellite services provider in the UAE, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, has announced its agreement with Airbus Defence and Space SAS (Airbus) for the development of its new geostationary telecom satellites, Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5).
This move follows the Authorisation-to-Proceed with Airbus (Airbus ATP) signed in Q2 2023 to initiate initial activities for the AY4 and AY5 satellite programme, and the subsequent mandate awarded by the UAE Government in Q3 2023, valued at AED 18.7B [$5.1 B], for satellite communication capacity and services over 17 years, mainly utilising AY4 and AY5.
Airbus will design and construct the AY4 and AY5 satellites based on the Eurostar Neo platform, featuring flexible payloads allowing for dynamic adjustments in coverage, capacity, and frequency to meet evolving mission requirements.
Both AY4 and AY5 satellites will facilitate secure governmental communications across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, eventually replacing the older Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2 satellites launched in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Yahsat and Airbus Collaborate on Advanced Satellite Solutions
Ali Al Hashemi, Yahsat’s Group CEO, expressed that these new satellites signify significant progress, enabling the provision of advanced solutions to the UAE Government and supporting Yahsat’s strategy of offering multi-orbit satellite solutions.
Alain Fauré, Airbus’s Head of Space Systems, emphasised the milestone achieved with Yahsat’s selection of their innovative satellite technology, marking a strengthened partnership between the two entities.
Airbus will handle the design, manufacturing, and ground control components for both satellites, each planned for a 15-year operational lifespan and scheduled launches in 2027 and 2028.
The total cost of the AY4 and AY5 programme, covering spacecraft, ground segment infrastructure, launch, and insurance, is estimated to be around AED 3.9 B [$1.1 B], initially funded by Yahsat before receiving AED 3.7 B [$1.0 B] as an advance payment from the UAE Government.
Additionally, Airbus is developing the Thuraya 4 satellite (T4) for Yahsat Government Solutions and Thuraya, scheduled for launch in the second half of 2024 and service commencement in the second half of 2025, also based on the Eurostar Neo platform.
