Airbus will design and manufacture both satellites and will also provide ground control segment components.
Yahsat has announced a contract with Airbus Defence and Space SAS (Airbus) to design and build two new geostationary telecommunications satellites, Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5).
This significant step follows the signing of an Authorization-to-Proceed with Airbus (Airbus ATP) in Q2 2023, initiating initial activities for the AY4 and AY5 satellite programmes. This was followed by the UAE Government awarding an AED 18.7bn (USD 5.1bn) mandate in Q3 2023 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. These satellites will feature flexible payloads that can be fully reconfigured while in orbit, capable of adjusting coverage areas, capacity, and frequency to meet evolving mission requirements.
AY4 and AY5 will offer secure governmental communications over a wide geographical area covering the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. These advanced satellites will eventually replace Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, launched in 2011 and 2012 respectively, which were based on an earlier version of the Airbus-built Eurostar platform.
Speaking about the contract, Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, said: “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 Yahsats 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 Yahsats future direction of providing multi-orbit satellite solutions to its customers.”
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 Yahsats in-orbit resources.”
Airbus will also provide ground control segment components for the satellites. Both spacecraft will have a design life of 15 years and are planned to be launched in 2027 and 2028 respectively.
The total cost of the AY4 and AY5 procurement programme, including spacecraft, ground segment infrastructure, launch, and insurance, is expected to reach approximately AED 3.9bn (USD 1.1bn). The programme will initially be funded using Yahsats own resources before receiving AED 3.7bn (USD 1bn) as an advance payment from the UAE Government.
Currently, Airbus is also developing the Thuraya 4 satellite (T4) for Yahsat Government Solutions and Yahsats commercial satellite solutions arm, Thuraya. T4, based on the Eurostar Neo platform, is set to launch in the second half of 2024 and enter service in the second half of 2025.
