UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat) announced a contract with Airbus Defence and Space for the construction of its new geostationary telecommunications satellites, Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5).
This development follows the signing of an Authorisation-to-Proceed with Airbus in the second quarter of 2023 to begin initial activities for the AY4 and AY5 satellite programme.
Airbus will design and manufacture the AY4 and AY5 satellites using the Eurostar Neo platform, which features flexible payloads. These payloads can be fully reconfigured while in orbit, allowing adjustments to the coverage area, capacity, and frequency to meet changing mission requirements.
The AY4 and AY5 satellites will provide secure governmental communications over a wide geographical area covering the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. These advanced satellites are intended to 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.
“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,” said Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus.
“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,” said Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat.
“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.”
In addition to designing and manufacturing the AY4 and AY5 satellites, Airbus will also provide ground control segment components. Both satellites will have a design life of 15 years and are scheduled for launch in 2027 and 2028.
Currently, Airbus is developing the Thuraya 4 (T4) satellite intended to serve both Yahsat’s UAE government customer and Thuraya’s customers. The T4, also based on the Eurostar Neo platform, is expected to be launched in the second half of 2024 and enter service in the second half of 2025.
The development of the Eurostar Neo platform and its flexible payloads has been supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space agencies across Europe.
The Polish Government has finalised a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to acquire 96 Boeing…
Korean Air and U.S. defence contractor L3Harris Technologies recently hosted an 'L3 Industry Day' at the Air Force Hotel in…
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), part of the SATS Group, has secured a five-year licence to manage ramp handling operations at…
Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), a joint venture between ST Engineering and Airbus, has been granted Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO)…
Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air and Hanjin Group, has been honoured with the top management award by…
airBaltic has placed an order for an additional 10 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, bringing its total order to 90. This marks…
The Israel Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with the Tehkumah Authority, the IDF, and the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, has…
Virgin Australia has finalised an agreement with Embraer for the purchase of eight E190-E2 small narrowbody aircraft, as part of…
The French Navy's CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) Squadron was deployed to ensure the security of the waters surrounding…
Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) subsidiary Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM) has leased a Boeing 767-300 converted freighter to New York-based…
Advanced air mobility (AAM) company Volocopter has conducted the world's first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flight test within…
Lockheed Martin delivered the first of five C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifters to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence and…
In June, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) awarded Boeing a $115 million contract to produce two more MH-47G…
Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA),will receive its third and fourth Embraer E190-E2 aircraft in Singapore in September…
Ramiro Alfonsín will assume the role of Chief Commercial Officer, LATAM Airlines Group, from Nov. 7. He was earlier Vice…
U.S. and Netherlandshave formalized a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA) agreement to purchase Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile…
Air India Express has become the first Indian airline to launch a Virtual Interline platform, offering flyers a wider range…
Vard, Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group and among the leading companies in the construction of specialized vessels, has signed…
Boeing has delivered the first MH-139A Grey Wolf production aircraft to the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft, part of a…
Embraer has signed an US$ 1 billion syndicated credit agreement for five years. The deal is an extension of a…
Hong Kong's Cathay Group has placed a firm order with Airbus for 30 A330-900 widebody aircraft. The newly-ordered aircraft will…
Türkiye's leading defence company Aselsan has made a significant leap in Defense News' annual “Top 100 Defence Companies List," climbing…
United Aircraft, Shenzhen-based manufacturer of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), is seeking international partners for its tilt-rotor UAV (R6000) that will…
Boeing has handed over the first MH-139A Grey Wolf production helicopter to the U.S. Air Force. This aircraft is part…
Airbus has been selected by the French Space Agency (CNES) to design and construct two next-generation microwave radiometers for the…
Liquidators for Air Vanuatu (Operations) Limited (In Liquidation) have announced that the airline will resume a reduced service via scheduled…
Saudia, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has been recognised as the leading global airline for on-time…
Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a joint venture between Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%), has received notification from the Italian Navy…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has secured a contract to supply airborne radios for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). These radios…
Vietnam's coast guard vessel, CSB 8002, has arrived in the Philippines, marking the commencement of the first joint coast guard…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.