Emirati satellite telecom provider Yahsat announced on June 10 that it has awarded a contract to Airbus Defence and Space for the construction of two new geostationary satellites. Named AY4 and AY5, these satellites will enable secure government communications across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Airbus will design and build the AY4 and AY5 satellites using its Eurostar Neo platform. The company will also supply ground segment elements. The two satellites are scheduled for launch in 2027 and 2028, each with a lifespan of 15 years. They will replace Yahsat’s AY1 and AY2 satellites, launched in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat, stated that these orders are part of the company's ongoing efforts to enhance its satellite communication capabilities with next-generation satellites. In May, Yahsat announced a partnership with Eutelsat to expand its reach in Africa using the "Konnect" satellite. Additionally, Yahsat has commissioned another satellite from Airbus, scheduled for launch by the end of 2024 and set to enter service in 2025.

These investments come amid increasing competition in the satellite communications market, particularly in Africa. Competitors include Lynk Global, AST SpaceMobile, Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Omnispace. This competition is driven by the high demand from telecom companies, governments, and individuals in Africa for high-speed connectivity, especially in remote areas that are hard to reach with traditional terrestrial networks.