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ND SatCom and EADS Equip German Armed Forces With Satellite Communication Networks; ND SatCom and EADS Awarded Large Long-Term Contract to Supply German Armed Forces With State-of-the-Art, Secure Satellite Communication Capabilities

Posted on: Wednesday, 5 July 2006, 12:00 CDT

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

Source: Business Wire

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