EADS Astrium and Arabsat, the communications satellite operator based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have signed a contract for the construction of Arabsat's fourth-generation satellites, designated Arabsat-4A and Arabsat-4B. Scheduled to enter service in 2006, the satellites will provide communications services over a wide area within the Middle East region.

For this programme, EADS Astrium will team with Alcatel Space. EADS Astrium, as prime contractor for Arabsat-4, will design and build the spacecraft, supply the platforms, upgrade the Arabsat ground control centres, and deliver the spacecraft in orbit on behalf of ARABSAT. Alcatel Space will supply the payloads. Arabsat 4A will carry 24 active channels in C-band and 16 active Ku-band channels and Arabsat 4B will have a payload of 28 active Ku-band channels. Both satellites will have a launch mass of around 3.3 tons and a 15-year design life.