Arab Satellite Communication Organisation (Arabsat) has announced a Request for Proposal for the procurement of four new satellites.
The new satellites, to be designated HS3, HS4, AR6E and AR6A, will be positioned at three different orbital locations with coverage over Middle Eastern, African, Asian and European markets with high power DTH payload in Ku bands and Ka spot beams capacities.
Arabsat CEO Khalid Balkhyour commented: “The RFP for Arabsat’s 6th generation satellites reflects the company’s views on the exciting growth opportunities ahead of us and our commitment to capitalize on these opportunities.”
The two new HS3 and HS4 satellites will be favourable to the replacement of Hellas-Sat’s current HS2 at the 39 degrees East orbital slot with additional capacities in Ku and Ka bands payload brought to customers with great flexibilities. HS4 will, additionally, provide Arabsat with prime Ku-band capacity over Europe and the Mediterranean which will complement the existing in-orbit capacity. The current Hellas-Sat 2 covers Eastern Europe, part of the Middle East and South Africa.
ARB6E and ARB6A will have payload capacities in Ku and Ka bands. They will be dedicated to support the growth of Arabsat’s business and provide in-orbit backup capacity to its customers; and to serve the increase in the markets demand for satellite capacities and services over the Middle East, Africa and Asia. All four satellites are set to launch in 2016 and 2017.
Proposals are due no later than May, 2014, and it is Arabsat who will manage this tender and pertinent contracts, which will be awarded through a full and open competition.
