Riyadh - February 04, 2009. Arabsat has signed contracts for the manufacturing and launching of two new satellites with a total cost of 590 million US Dollar.

The Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat) has signed the contracts for the two new satellites 5C & Arabsat Badr-7 with both EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space for manufacturing and Arianespace for launching .

Mr. Khalid Balkheyour, Arabsat President & CEO declared that with a design life exceeding 15 years, these two communications satellites will provide telecommunications and television broadcast services in the Middle East, Africa continent, Europe and the Indian subcontinent. Arabsat 5C will weigh about 4,680 kg at launch, and will be positioned at 20 degrees East. Arasbat Badr-7 will weigh about 4,380 kg at launch and will be positioned at 26 degrees East.