Yahsat Teams Up With Airbus For Al Yah 4 And 5 Satellite Construction

Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the UAE’s leading satellite solutions provider listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), has announced a new contract with Airbus Defence and Space SAS (Airbus) for its upcoming geostationary telecommunications satellites, Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5). This follows an Authorisation-to-Proceed with Airbus in Q2 2023 and a subsequent AED18.7 billion [US$5.1 billion] mandate from the UAE Government in Q3 2023.

The mandate covers the provision of satellite communications capacity and managed services for 17 years, primarily utilising AY4 and AY5. Airbus will design and build these satellites based on the Eurostar Neo platform, featuring flexible payloads that can be reconfigured in orbit to adjust coverage area, capacity, and frequency as needed.

AY4 and AY5 will offer secure governmental communications across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. These advanced satellites are set to replace Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, which were launched in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The new satellites will benefit from the strong heritage of the Eurostar family.

Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, stated, "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 advanced 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, commented, "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 not only design and manufacture both satellites but also provide ground control segment components. Both spacecraft will have a design life of 15 years and are planned for launch in 2027 and 2028 respectively.

Financial Aspects

The full cost of the AY4 and AY5 procurement programme is expected to reach approximately AED3.9 billion [US$1.1 billion]. This encompasses spacecraft, ground segment infrastructure, launch, and insurance. Initially, the programme will be funded using Yahsat’s own resources ahead of receiving AED3.7 billion [US$1.0 billion] as an advance payment from the UAE Government.

Future Projects

Airbus is also developing the Thuraya 4 satellite (T4) for Yahsat Government Solutions as well as Thuraya, Yahsat’s commercial satellite solutions arm. T4 is based on the Eurostar Neo platform and is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2024, entering service in the second half of 2025.

With inputs from WAM