Broadcast Media Africa has learnt that Yahsat has selected SpaceX to launch its advanced new geostationary satellites Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5) using SpaceX’s flight-proven Falcon 9 rocket.
The agreement, a pivotal part of the AY4 and AY5 procurement programme, is set to make a significant impact with an estimated cost of approximately US$1.1bn, covering spacecraft, ground segment infrastructure, launch, and insurance.
This announcement follows the signing of a contract between Yahsat and Airbus to design and build AY4 and AY5 based on the Eurostar Neo platform. The contract is part of a UD$5.1bn mandate awarded in Q3 2023 to Yahsat by the UAE Government for providing satellite communications capacity and managed services for 17 years, primarily on AY4 and AY5.
Commenting on the deal, Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, said: “We are proud to collaborate with SpaceX on the upcoming Falcon 9 launches of our AI Yah 4 and AI Yah 5 satellites. Through the successful completion of the launch contracts with SpaceX and the recently announced design and manufacturing contract with Airbus, Yahsat is well placed to pursue the final contract with the UAE Government, the anchor customer of the Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 programme, as part of its largest ever mandate received in its history from the UAE Government.”
Both satellites, AY4 and AY5, are poised to revolutionize secure governmental communications over a vast geographical area spanning the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. They are expected to eventually replace the older Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, launched in 2011 and 2012, respectively, ushering in a new era of satellite technology.
