SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG)
(LuxX:SESG), has announced today that its fully owned affiliate ND
SatCom, together with its partner EADS Space Services, has won a major
contract with the German Armed Forces. The contract for the next step
of the German Armed Forces' satellite communications program, SATCOMBw
Stufe 2, was signed today at the Federal Office of the Bundeswehr for
Information Management and Information Technology. ND SatCom is a
leading global supplier of satellite-based broadband VSAT, broadcast,
government and defence communication network solutions.
The project with the name SATCOMBw Stufe 2 comprises the delivery
of two military communication satellites, several fixed and
transportable ground stations of various sizes as well as a bundle of
communication services. The contract period stretches over ten years,
generating an additional revenue of 180 million Euros(1) for ND SatCom
over this period, with an option for subsequent follow-up contracts.
Based on the contract, ND SatCom will provide a complete ground
segment containing the various user ground stations, the telemetry,
tracking and command (TT&C) network as well as network management for
monitoring and controlling the overall system. EADS is to deliver the
space segment, which mainly includes two military satellites.
In order to serve the German Armed Forces in the most efficient
way, ND SatCom and EADS set up a common special purposes company named
MilSat Services. EADS holds 74.9% and ND SatCom 25.1% of this company.
The joint venture will be in charge of the deployment and integration
of the overall system for the customer. During the following
operational phase, MilSat Services will provide additional military
communication services and operate the two military satellites on
behalf of the German Armed Forces.
ND SatCom has a long-standing experience in implementing satellite
ground segments and military network management systems and has
already proven to be a competent and reliable partner to the German
Armed Forces in the realization of the first stage of the SATCOMBw
program. SATCOMBw Stufe 1 has been in use for four years and is -
among others - deployed in Germany's NATO missions.
"We are very proud that the German Armed Forces maintain their
confidence in us and entrust us with the realization of this next
milestone in the satcom program", says Dr. Karl Classen, Chairman &
CEO of ND SatCom. "EADS is our ideal partner for the development and
implementation of communication satellites and military communication
services. The system we offer opens up possibilities to implement the
latest military defence strategies. It will support the German Armed
Forces in efficient communication and decision making."
About SES ASTRA - www.ses-astra.com
The ASTRA Satellite System is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH)
satellite system in Europe, delivering services to some 107 million
Direct-to-Home and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet
currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1600
analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as
multimedia and Internet services. ASTRA's two prime orbital positions
for DTH services are 19.2 degrees East and 28.2 degrees East.
Professional services such as Direct-to cable (DTC), Satellite
Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital
position of 23.5 degrees East.
SES ASTRA is an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG). SES
GLOBAL wholly owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA
in Europe, SES AMERICOM in the US and New Skies Satellites in the rest
of the world. The Company also holds strategic participations in
AsiaSat in Asia, Star One in Latin America, SES Sirius in Europe, Ciel
in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico. Americom Government Services
provides network solutions and bandwidth to the US government and its
contractors. SES GLOBAL provides outstanding satellite communications
solutions via a fleet of 43 satellites across the globe. Additional
info on SES GLOBAL at: www.ses-global.com.
About ND SatCom - www.ndsatcom.com
ND SatCom, an SES ASTRA company, is a leading global supplier of
satellite-based broadband VSAT, broadcast and defence communication
network and ground station solutions. ND SatCom's innovative
technologies are deployed in broadcast & media, enterprise, telecom,
government and defence environments worldwide. As a global company
with more than 25 years of experience in the satellite networks and
systems businesses, ND SatCom is a reliable source of comprehensive
and secure turnkey and tailored system engineered solutions. ND SatCom
is represented by regional sales and service offices worldwide.
(1)Excluding VAT
