Kazakhstan and France are planning to co-produce communications satellites with the first assembly batch scheduled to launch in 2026, QazMonitor reports citing the ministry of digital development, innovations and aerospace industry.
Kazakh delegation led by minister Bagdat Mussin paid an official visit to France. They met with the representatives of the ministry for Europe and foreign affairs of France and the Kazakh-French Intergovernmental Commission, as well as with heads of prominent digital development and aerospace industry enterprises.
During discussions with Thales Alenia Space, prospects of joint projects in satellite production were explored, including the replacement of KazSat satellites and decommissioned remote sensing satellites. The delegation and Airbus Defence and Space discussed the satellite production and the development of the national Assembly, Integration, and Testing Center (ATC).
The delegation further met with European satellite operators Eutelsat, ReOrbit, and SES to discuss strategies and technological solutions aimed at ensuring equitable access to digital opportunities in remote communities and facilitating Internet access in hard-to-reach areas of Kazakhstan using Low Earth orbit satellite constellations supplied by these companies.
Olivier Becht, the minister delegate of the French Republic for foreign trade, attractiveness and French nationals abroad and co-Chair of the Kazakh-French Intergovernmental Commission, acknowledged the Kazakh side's assistance in implementing the passenger data collecting system (APCAS), which is currently developed by a joint venture Qazaqstan Identity & Security.
