Miguel Ángel García Primo, CEO of Hisdesat, observes from a cautious distance the rumor that for months has been anticipating the possible purchase of Hispasat by Indra. On the one hand, the manager says he is unaware of any process in this regard, but assumes that an eventual corporate movement would permeate his company, 43% controlled by Hispasat. Aside from this operation, the satellite company is committed to growing organically, with its sights set on the next launch of Spainsat NG I, intended for military and government communications.
Before entering into corporate matters, how is Hisdesat and its satellite technology collaborating in the face of the DANA crisis?
Since the crisis began, space resources, both secure satellite communications and Hisdesat’s radar Earth observation, have been used by emergency operations, the Military Emergency Unit (UME) and the Armed Forces to facilitate search, rescue and damage assessment tasks.
How would a possible sale of Hispasat to Indra impact Hisdesat?
There’s not much I can say. We are aware that there is some noise, but we have not participated in any type of procedure and I do not know if we will do so in the future…
But if it were the case that Hispasat changed hands, Hisdesat would be in the same package, right?
Let’s see, if Hispasat sells its company, its assets effectively include its shares in Hisdesat. In principle, it should be included. But I don’t know what Indra is going to buy from Hispasat, because Hispasat also has several partners, not just one. I am saying no more than what is already public, that Indra’s strategic plan plans to strengthen its space capabilities through acquisitions. Let’s see what happens with satellites and how the possible change of hands from one company to another fits in.
The decision rests with the partners of Hispasat, with a strong direct and indirect presence of Sepi…
I insist, I have nothing to contribute. If anything, I remind you that Hisdesat has been a company with great stability. We have the same partners and the same corporate structure from day one, since our incorporation in 2001. Hisdesat’s model and balance has worked. Otherwise, obviously, some shareholder would have wanted to leave. All industrial partners seek to grow in their collaboration with Hisdesat. As you know, Hispasat has 43% of Hisdesat; Defense, 30% through ISDEFE; Airbus Defense & Space, 15%; Indra, 7% and Sener, 5%.
How does Hisdesat live with the uncertainty of the purchase of its first shareholder?
We are calm. Our relationship and alliance with the Ministry of Defense is the same as always and will not change. Our projects continue. Proof of this is the recent general protocol of actions to launch the PAZ 2 program, the most advanced radar Earth observation system in the world.
How do you carry out compliance with the Strategic Plan?
It is being fulfilled and we continue to advance in our strategies, established long ago and agreed with the Ministry of Defense. Would a possible change of hands in the ownership of Hisdesat affect these corporate strategies? In that case, nothing will affect the strategic alliance that Hisdesat maintains either with the Ministry of Defense or with the Public-Private Collaboration Agreement. In fact, all of our programs basically respond to the needs of our Armed Forces and other allied forces, to offer next-generation capabilities at an affordable price. That’s not going to change.
Does the current geopolitical context revalue Hisdesat?
Yes, the current strategic moment revalues all defense companies and, therefore, satellite companies specialized in defense. We see the situation and the question arises whether we are in a position to face everything that happens. And I think the bottom line is that we are not prepared for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In these cases there are two options: either stay silent and assume that it is not time now or, on the contrary, prepare because perhaps it is your turn. We are increasingly aware that we have to be prepared and that ultimately means greater investment in defense.
What does Spainsat I and II represent for the company?
Spainsat New Generation is the most important project we have in hand. These are the two most advanced geostationary satellites that currently exist in Europe. In terms of mass alone, they weigh six tons. We are approximately three months away from the launch of the first of them.
What value will the new satellites bring to our armies?
Among other advantages, the satellite payload configuration will be defined by software, and everything will be defined based on the needs of the Armed Forces. They will have enormous capacity and always super flexible, they can be radically modified instantly, wherever and whenever you want. Until now, satellites were analogue, with a fixed configuration of the electric motors, so that the antennas pointed to a certain location and the transponders had a precise and immutable bandwidth and power. Now everything is flexible to respond to the needs of our Armed Forces, which can change from one day to the next. They will be the most advanced satellites in secure communications, at least in Europe, because in the US they play in another league.
And they carry the ‘Made in Spain’ seal…
That’s how it is. Approximately 50% of the satellite is manufactured here. In addition to the Spanish and French plants of Airbus Defense Space and Thales Alenia Space, other Spanish companies such as Airbus, Indra, TAS-E, Arquimea, Tecnobit, Iberespacio, Sener, GMV, HV will also participate. Systems, Aicox, Invetia and Kinetics. Public participation includes the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Industry, the CDTI, INTA and ESA.
Who will be the customers of the new Hisdesat satellites?
They will be dual satellites. That is, we have Defense as the most important user, but there is interest from other public security and emergency organizations. We offer secure communications that do not fall or break in the event of fires or floods.
LinkedinBeloud
#García #Primo #Hisdesat #Lets #satellites #fit #Indras #plan #strengthen #space #capabilities
