Yahsat to provide secure satellite services for UAE Armed Forces

The UAE Armed Forces will lease satellite capacity on Yahsat satellites for a 15 year period as Yahsat's first government customer.

As part of the turnkey contract Yahsat will also supply the ground terminals and gateway infrastructure and will be responsible for satellite network services.

"The protection and defence of the United Arab Emirates is our primary mission. We are proud to work closely with Yahsat to build a reliable and robust satellite system, to develop the UAE military communications, and thus reinforce the capabilities and efficiency of our armed forces, as well as our operational capabilities"

said Lt. Gen. Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces.

"Mubadala has demonstrated its foresight to develop this long term partnership with the UAE Armed Forces and we look forward to support their secure and reliable communications in the future," said Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, COO of Mubadala and Chairman of Yahsat.

"Our system is also able to provide additional reliable satellite services customised to the requirements of government and commercial customers across the region".

Incorporated in January 2007, Yahsat will develop, procure, own and operate hybrid satellite systems based on market requirements and future applications.

Yahsat will offer innovative solutions for Government and commercial communications in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South-West Asia.

Yahsat earlier signed an agreement with Arianespace to launch the

Yahsat 1A satellite in the second half of 2010. The satellite is currently being manufactured by the consortium of EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space.

Another agreement was also signed with International Launch Services (ILS) to launch the Yahsat 1B satellite in first half of 2011.