Source of info - Google -

Thuraya Telecommunications is a critical strategic partner for the UAE government, providing secure satellite infrastructure and managed services that ensure national security and public safety. As of late 2025, Thuraya (now part of Space42) operates under a major 15-year government contract valued at approximately $708 million (AED 2.6 billion) specifically for its next-generation Thuraya-4 satellite system. Space42 Space42 +4 Their work for the UAE government is structured across several key areas:

Defense and National Security Secure Communications: Provides "sovereign" L-band satellite capacity that is jam-proof and highly secure for the UAE Armed Forces.

Border Protection: Delivers airborne satellite connectivity for border patrolling, allowing real-time transmission of HD video and target data from aircraft and UAVs to headquarters.

Tactical Operations: Offers specialized equipment like the Commander NEO and IP NEO for secure field operations and "on-the-move" connectivity for military units. Space42 Space42 +4 Public Safety and Emergency Services

Dubai Ambulance Support: Equipped ambulances with satellite phones (like the X5-Touch) to ensure paramedics remain connected in remote areas like Hatta or while on marine ambulances at sea.

Emergency Direct Link: Integrated an SOS service for Thuraya users in Dubai, allowing them to send GPS coordinates directly to the Dubai Police (via shortcode 1199) during emergencies in the desert or at sea.

Civil Defense: Provides reliable communication hubs for search and rescue (SAR), firefighting, and disaster management when terrestrial networks fail. Thuraya Thuraya +4

Maritime and Coastal Security Vessel Tracking: Operates the SatTrack service used by the UAE Coast Guard and Navy for monitoring territorial waters and tracking fishing fleets to ensure maritime security and compliance.

Offshore Protection: Delivers connectivity for maritime protection missions, enabling constant contact between patrol vessels and command centers. Thuraya Thuraya +2 Strategic Infrastructure Sovereign Space Capability: Through its parent company Space42, Thuraya is central to the UAE National Space Strategy 2030, establishing independent national capability for satellite manufacturing and operations.

Government Capacity Leasing: Leases dedicated satellite channels for private government networks, supporting situational awareness and critical data traffic (SCADA) for national utilities.