Through its range of Paradigm services, Astrium will be prime contractor for the support in Operations and Maintenance of the Yahsat system, and will use its unique expertise in network operations, customer services, and logistical support to ensure that the system is successfully brought into service. The system will then be capable of delivering state-of-the-art services to the UAE’s Armed Forces throughout its lifetime.
“This is a hugely significant contract for Astrium, reinforcing our reputation as a world leading military satellite services' company. It is a testament to our strength in providing expert, managed, military satellite communications solutions through our range of Paradigm services.” said Eric Béranger, CEO of Astrium Services. "Our Paradigm team will bring all the attributes and quality they've built up on the UK MoD's Skynet 5 program into developing the UAE’s Armed Forces expertise in Milsatcom service delivery”.
“It has been a great honor to develop a satellite communications solution to support our nation’s defenses and promote broader regional security,” said Rashed Al Ghafri, General Manager of YahService. “The system Yahsat has worked to create is a flagship program for the United Arab Emirates’ Armed Forces. Obviously, successful operations and maintenance of the system will be critical for its future success. We are therefore very pleased to have the experience and support of Paradigm in delivering our operations and maintenance services and look forward to working with them over the next 5 years.”
Transfer of skills and capabilities will be a key part of the contract, and therefore Astrium Services will be developing and delivering a comprehensive training program. Under the Skynet 5 program, its Paradigm team has already conducted 30,000 hours of training to UK MoD personnel.
Through the long-standing expertise developed with its range of Paradigm services, Astrium has a unique heritage in Milsatcom services as the world’s first and largest commercial operator of secure military satellites on the Skynet 5 programme for the UK Ministry of Defence. It’s been prime contractor on the Skynet 5 programme since 2003, a very successful programme, both commercially and operationally, taking many of the technical and service risks away from the customer. Astrium Services will draw on its experience and capability to meet Yahsat’s requirements of high levels of service assurance, service delivery and robustness.