Inmarsat selects Airbus Defense and Space as Value Added Reseller for Global Xpress military lease services serving the Government market in Europe

London, UK, 13-3-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — Inmarsat(LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has signed a further agreement with Airbus Defense and Space, appointing the international defence systems integrator as a Value Added Reseller (VAR) for Global Xpress (GX) military lease services, serving the Government market in Europe.

The announcement builds upon the strategic GX distribution partnership agreement concluded between the two companies in December 2013. This new government agreement sets out leasing capacity on military Ka-band spot beams, in addition to subscription services already covered by the original agreement.

Andy Start, President, Inmarsat Global Government, said: “Adding military lease services to Airbus Defense and Space’s GX Value Added Reseller appointment was a natural progression.  It positions Inmarsat’s unique global military Ka-band capability ideally to enable Airbus Defense and Space  to augment MILSATCOM and support the concentrated, very high bandwidth operational needs of defence forces, for example airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.”

Evert Dudok, Head of Communications, Intelligence & Security at Airbus Defense and Space, said: “As the number one military satcom operator in the world, having GX military and commercial Ka band as part of our new AuroraGlobal offering is a huge asset. This extension of our GX strategic agreement with Inmarsat further strengthens a long-standing partnership harnessing Inmarsat’s next generation satellites.”

Global Xpress is the first globally available Ka-band broadband satellite network providing very high bandwidth services to a range of land, maritime and aero terminals, delivered through a resilient, secure waveform which is optimised for mobility.  Integrated seamlessly with Inmarsat’s current L-band network, Global Xpress will ensure reliable communications in support of mission critical operations in the most challenging environments.

The first of three Global Xpress satellites is set to enter commercial service by mid-year 2014 with the full constellation scheduled for deployment by the close of the year.

For Further Information

About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ISAT.L).

About Airbus Defence & Space
Airbus Defense and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe’s number one defense and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defense enterprises. It employs some 40,000 employees generating revenues of approximately €14 billion per year.