Artistic rendering of the Al Yah 4 and 5 satellites. Photo: Airbus

Yahsat has contracted Airbus Defence and Space to build two new Geostationary (GEO) satellites, Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5). The satellites are expected to launch in 2027 and 2028 respectively, and will eventually replace Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2. 

They will be designed on the Airbus Eurostar Neo platform. The flexible multi-band payloads can be fully reconfigured while in orbit, capable of adjusting the coverage area, capacity and frequency. The satellites will provide secure governmental communications over a wide geographical area across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia.

Yahsat said the full program is expected to cost $1.1 billion. The contract also includes two Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite platforms based on the Arrow line, which also serves the OneWeb constellation.

The UAE satellite operator signed an authorization to proceed in the second quarter of last year and announced the completed deal on Monday. Airbus will design and manufacture both AY4 and AY5 satellites and will also provide ground control segment components. 

“This is a significant step in Yahsat’s growth trajectory,” commented Yahsat Group CEO Ali Al Hashemi. “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.”

Yahsat is currently in the midst of a deal to combine with geospatial solutions provider Bayanat. Shareholders of both companies approved the merger in April.