Thuraya and UAE Air Force Sign MoU for Aeronautical Network
23 November 2005
Dubai: Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company and the Air Force of the UAE Armed Forces have signed a Memorandum of Understanding mandating Thuraya to develop and install a satellite network for the Aeronautical fleet of the Air Force.
Signed today at the major Dubai Air Show, the agreement covers the provision of satellite-based voice, data and GPRS communications for the UAE Air Force military fleet across the entire coverage area of Thuraya satellite system.
The massive project will involve installing Thuraya satellite units on a large fleet comprising fighter jets, military helicopters and surveillance planes.
The MoU was signed by the UAE’s Commander of Air Force and Air Defense Major General Mr. Khalid Al Bu-Ainnain and Thuraya’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Yousuf Al Sayed in the presence of senior officials from the UAE Air Force and Air Defense and Thuraya during the ongoing Dubai Air Show.
With the signing of this agreement, Thuraya, the UAE-based mobile satellite system, is yet embarking on a new strategic plan by positioning itself as a satellite telecom provider for the aeronautical industry.
As an initial step towards realizing the project, a joint team will be formed consisting of technical experts from both Thuraya and the Air Force to develop the system specifications. Once completed, the project will then proceed to contract signing and project tendering for implementation, which is expected to be accomplished within one year.
In a statement following the MoU signing, the UAE Commander of Air Force and Air Defense, Major General Mr. Al Bu-Ainnain, said : “The UAE Air Force & Air Defense are proud to cooperate with Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company on providing their specialized telecom services to support the various types of the Air Force jets to perform the required national defense duties. It is very heartening to work with such a national company to provide such advanced and unique capabilities.”
On his part, Thuraya’s CEO Mr. Al Sayed said Thuraya was pleased to be working with the UAE Armed Forces on this key project, and for the selection of his company as a proven and leading regional satellite system.
“We have a very advanced satellite system with versatile capabilities that meet the needs of several key sectors. And with the start of the aeronautical communication services, we are supporting an aggressive service diversification strategy to keep Thuraya at the forefront of the world’s satellite telecoms industry,” said Mr. Al Sayed.
Thuraya is currently serving the world’s largest subscriber base for satellite handheld services. This new project is expected to open new commercial venues for the company not only within the UAE, but also within Thuraya’s vast coverage area through the ongoing modernisation programs of military communication systems.