UAE’s Yahsat Commissions Airbus for Two Satellites Worth USD 1 Billion

Abu Dhabi-based satellite operator Yahsat has commissioned Airbus to manufacture two geostationary satellites, worth approximately USD 1.1 billion (AED 3.9 billion), to replace older versions of the telecommunications satellites. The contract covers the new spacecraft, supporting ground infrastructure, launch and insurance.

This development comes after Yahsat Government Solutions won a contract worth USD 5.1 billion (AED 18.7 billion) last September from the UAE government to provide satellite capacity and services for the next seventeen years. The new satellites, AY4 and AY5, are expected to be put into action in 2027 and 2028, and will be designed by Airbus Defence and Space SAS.

The design will be based on the Eurostar Neo platform, and according to Airbus, they will also have the capacity to be fully reconfigured while in orbit, so the coverage area can be adjusted as well as the satellite frequency. The two spacecraft are expected to last for the next 15 years.