Lockheed Martin, a leading security and aerospace company, has won a deal from Arabsat and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) to manufacture two A2100 communications satellites.

In conjunction with the contract, Lockheed Martin, KACST and Taqnia Space Company, a subsidiary of the Saudi Technology Investment and Development Company (Taqnia), signed an agreement to explore future design, manufacture, assembly and integration of satellites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said a statement.

The two satellites will strengthen the Arabsat fleet to 10 in-orbit operational satellites. These new satellites will ensure and guarantee Arabsat expansion through the additional services that will provide advanced telecommunications capabilities, including television, internet, telephone and secure communications, to customers in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, it said.

The construction of the satellites will commence immediately and will be completed for launch in 2018.

Arabsat 6A will be located at 30.5 degrees East and Hellas-Sat-4/SaudiGeoSat-1 will be located at 39 degrees East, said the statement.

Both satellites will be designed for a 15-year service life, and will be manufactured in Denver, Colorado, it said.

Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin and Taqnia Space Company will pursue the creation of a joint venture, anticipated to be structured as a limited liability company, that would develop talent and infrastructure that will support space capabilities and services in Saudi Arabia, said the statement.

KACST will serve as a technology partner, leading research and development efforts that will support new innovations for future Saudi Arabian space endeavours, it said.

Prince Dr Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad Al Saudi, president of KACST, said: ”Lockheed Martin's proven record of developing and delivering state-of-the-art space communications capabilities will ensure the kingdom's critical telecommunications needs are met.

“KACST and Arabsat collectively selected the best and latest technology for their satellites and KACST will elevate local satellite technologies competency through the Joint Venture with Lockheed Martin and Taqnia Space Company.”

Khalid Balkheyour, chief executive officer of Arabist, said: ”Arabsat 6A and Hellas-Sat-4/SaudiGeoSat-1 will join a fleet of satellites that provides millions of people access to TV, radio and broadband services for mobile and landline communications.

"We selected Lockheed Martin to build these satellites due to the impressive technical capabilities and proven track record of the A2100 satellite." - TradeArabia News Service