UAE Government appoints Yahsat to assess two new satellites

The UAE Government has appointed Yahsat to complete a detailed analysis, assessment and recommendation for two new satellites, which will be targeted for launch in 2026.

Yahsat has been formally requested to perform a thorough study in order to support a contract to augment the capacity already provided to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government on its existing satellites, Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, with two potential additional satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5.

The new capacity will augment the secure high-throughput capacity currently contracted on Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2 with new coverage, capabilities and capacity to meet the next-generation demands of this key customer. The combined use of Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 with Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, which are expected to continue in parallel for several years, is expected to have a positive impact on Yahsat’s future growth and secure the longer-term financial outlook.

Yahsat will pursue an RFP process to identify satellite vendors that offer the best technical and commercial solution to manufacture two geostationary satellites for a prospective launch by 2026 and make a recommendation to the UAE Government.  

Commenting on the development, Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Yahsat, said: “Yahsat has long been recognised as a strong national champion, a global ICT leader, and an enabler of critical communications infrastructure. This potential expansion of our fleet for the UAE Government would further underpin our long-term contracted backlog and reinforces our position as the UAE’s primary supplier and preferred partner to the UAE Government for advanced satellite communications and critical satellite connectivity needs. We continuously strive to provide our customers and partners with best-in-class solutions and equipment. Today’s announcement to assess the expansion of the existing fleet presents a significant opportunity to enhance Yahsat’s business value for all stakeholders, allowing us to capitalise on our future growth strategy.”

Yahsat has a long-standing relationship with the UAE Government going back over a decade. The first satellite, Al Yah 1, launched in 2011 and the second satellite, Al Yah 2, launched in 2012, serve markets in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Central and South-West Asia.