Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • Airbus awarded Yahsat's Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 satellites contract

Space

Airbus awarded Yahsat's Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 satellites contract

Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat) announced today that it has contracted Airbus Defence and Space, to provide its new geostationary telecommunications satellites, Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5).



Above: Artist's impression of the Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 satellites.
Copyright Airbus

The significant step follows the signing of an Authorisation-to-Proceed with Airbus in Q2 2023 to commence initial activities in relation to the AY4 and AY5 satellite programme.

Airbus will design and build the AY4 and AY5 satellites based on the Eurostar Neo platform, with each having flexible payloads and benefitting from the strong heritage of the Eurostar family. The flexible multiband payloads can be fully reconfigured while in orbit, capable of adjusting the coverage area, capacity and frequency 'on the fly' to meet evolving mission scenarios.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

Both AY4 and AY5 satellites will offer secure governmental communications over a wide geographical area across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia. The new advanced satellites will eventually replace Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, which were launched in 2011 and 2012, respectively and based on a previous version of the Airbus-built Eurostar platform.

Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said: “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.”

Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, commented: “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. 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.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Airbus will design and manufacture both AY4 and AY5 satellites and will also provide ground control segment components. Both spacecraft will have a design life of 15 years and are planned to be launched in 2027 and 2028 respectively.

Airbus is currently developing the Thuraya 4 (T4) satellite to serve both Yahsat’s UAE government customer and Thuraya’s customers. The T4 is also based on the Eurostar Neo platform and is due to be launched in the second half of 2024 and enter service in the second half of 2025.

The development of Airbus’ Eurostar Neo platform and flexible payloads has been supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space agencies across Europe.

Advertisement
Cranfield University
Expleo’s science-based climate action targets approved by SBTi

Aerospace Defence Space

Expleo’s science-based climate action targets approved by SBTi

27 June 2025

Expleo's near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Serco launches Net Zero Standard for suppliers

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Serco launches Net Zero Standard for suppliers

25 June 2025

Serco has today launched a new Net Zero Standard for its suppliers, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable procurement and to partnering with its suppliers to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.

Five projects to use satellite data to drive public services

Space

Five projects to use satellite data to drive public services

24 June 2025

Five projects from across the UK will use satellite data to help transform the delivery of public services, thanks to new funding from the UK Space Agency.

CGI to deliver core ground segment for ESA

Space

CGI to deliver core ground segment for ESA's TRUTHS satellite mission

24 June 2025

CGI as been selected as the provider of the Payload Data Ground Segment (PDGS) for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) TRUTHS mission, a pioneering Earth Observation satellite designed to enhance global climate monitoring and enable cross-calibration of EO missions.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Safran and Babcock advance Franco-British defence collaboration at Paris Air Show

Defence Space Events

Safran and Babcock advance Franco-British defence collaboration at Paris Air Show

18 June 2025

Safran Electronics & Defense and Babcock International Group, have announced plans to increase collaboration across multidomain mission systems, aircraft engines, space systems, tactical and strategic communications.

Astroscale awarded £5.15m contract for Orpheus mission

Defence Security Space

Astroscale awarded £5.15m contract for Orpheus mission

16 June 2025

Astroscale Ltd has been awarded a contract worth £5.15 million by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), via BAE Systems as the Dstl Serapis Framework lead.

Advertisement
ODU RT