IAI to Develop and Build Israeli National Communication Satellite

Israeli defense contractor Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) will develop and build Israel’s national communication satellite, to be called Dror 1, IAI announced Thursday. The satellite is intended to fulfill the country’s Satellite communication needs for the next 15 years. The deal is estimated at between $190 million and $200 million.

Dror 1 will be built by IAI’s systems missiles & space group, based mostly on technology developed in Israel, according to IAI. The new agreement between IAI and the Israeli government implements a September 2018 government decision to promote a long-term strategy for Israeli satellite communications.

The last satellite built by IAI was AMOS-6, which exploded on its SpaceX launchpad during pre-checks in September 2016, plunging the company into financial trouble.