Al Yah Satellite Communications (Yahsat) has signed a deal with Airbus to build its new satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5, aiming to enhance its fleet and expand services. Airbus Defence and Space will design and build these geostationary telecom satellites using the Eurostar Neo platform. These satellites will provide secure governmental communications across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Airbus will handle the design, manufacture, and ground control components for the two satellites, each with a 15-year design life, planned for launch in 2027 and 2028. The procurement program, including spacecraft, ground infrastructure, launch, and insurance, will cost about Dh3.9 billion ($1.1 billion). 

Yahsat's CEO, Ali Al Hashemi, highlighted that Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 would enable the company to provide cutting-edge solutions to the UAE government and support Yahsat’s future direction of offering multi-orbit satellite solutions. Founded in 2007 and a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company, Yahsat provides multi-mission satellite services in over 150 countries. With the launch of Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5, Yahsat expects to triple or quadruple its capacity, allowing it to offer more services to other governments. In September, Yahsat secured a $5.1 billion contract from the UAE government for satellite capacity and managed services on AY4 and AY5.