IHC Moves to Acquire 80% of Marlan Space in Major UAE Satellite Push
By Thasmiya
Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company (IHC) is moving deeper into the global space economy with plans to acquire an **80% stake in Marlan Holding RSC Ltd**, the holding company behind UAE-based Marlan Space.
The transaction is being carried out through IHC’s wholly owned subsidiary, International Tech Group SP LLC, and remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
If completed, the acquisition would give IHC a majority position in a UAE space business spanning satellite manufacturing, Earth observation, autonomous systems, advanced computing and space infrastructure.
## **What exactly is IHC acquiring?**
IHC is in the process of acquiring **80% of Marlan Holding**, the company behind Marlan Space.
The value of the transaction has not been publicly disclosed.
The deal would significantly expand IHC’s technology portfolio into deeptech and what the company describes as the **“new space economy”**, adding satellite infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and emerging space technologies to its existing exposure to AI, data and digital infrastructure.
IHC official website
## **Who is Marlan Space?**
Marlan Space is an Abu Dhabi-based investor and operator focused on building commercial space capabilities in the UAE.
Its activities span satellite systems, autonomous operations and advanced computing, while its wider strategy is focused on developing an end-to-end commercial space ecosystem from Abu Dhabi.
One of its most important ventures is Orbitworks.
## **Satellites are already being built in Abu Dhabi**
Marlan Space established **Orbitworks** as a joint venture with US-based Loft Orbital.
Orbitworks is described as the Middle East’s first private commercial space infrastructure company and designs, assembles, tests and operates satellite systems from its facility in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi, or KEZAD.
Marlan Space says its approximately **5,000-square-metre facility can produce up to 50 satellites annually**, with spacecraft weighing up to 500kg.
This gives the UAE an increasingly important domestic capability to manufacture satellites rather than relying entirely on overseas facilities.
## **What is the Altair satellite programme?**
One of the most significant projects within the Marlan Space ecosystem is **Altair**, an AI-enabled Earth observation constellation.
Altair is designed to combine several types of sensors, including optical, hyperspectral, thermal, infrared and passive radio-frequency payloads.
The satellites also use onboard processing, allowing data to be processed closer to where it is collected rather than relying entirely on processing after transmission back to Earth.
The **first Altair satellite has already been completed**, with additional satellites being assembled in Abu Dhabi.
## **Why does IHC want to enter the space sector?**
The space industry is increasingly becoming part of the wider technology and infrastructure economy.
Satellites now support communications, navigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, agriculture, mapping, logistics, security and large-scale data collection.
IHC CEO Syed Basar Shueb said the acquisition would give the group a strategic position in the new space economy while giving Marlan Space access to IHC’s capital, capabilities and wider business network to accelerate its growth.
IHC also intends to connect satellite capabilities with technology, data and infrastructure businesses elsewhere in its portfolio.
## **What changes for Marlan Space?**
If regulators approve the transaction, IHC would become the majority shareholder.
For Marlan Space, the backing of one of the region’s largest investment groups could provide additional capital and resources to expand satellite manufacturing, strengthen international partnerships and pursue opportunities outside the UAE.
Marlan Space CEO Hamdullah Mohib said the company intends to continue developing infrastructure and technologies that serve the UAE while competing internationally.
## **Could the UAE manufacture more satellites locally?**
That is one of the important implications of the deal.
Orbitworks already has commercial satellite manufacturing infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. Marlan Space says the facility has capacity for dozens of satellites annually, creating the foundation for larger constellations and international customer programmes.
With IHC providing greater access to capital and other businesses across technology and infrastructure, the acquisition could help scale these capabilities further.
However, IHC has not announced specific new production targets as part of the transaction.
## **Marlan Space is looking beyond satellites**
Marlan Space’s ambitions extend beyond building spacecraft.
The company says it is working towards developing infrastructure for **rocket manufacturing and testing in the UAE**and exploring opportunities for launch sites in the region and internationally.
These initiatives are separate from the announced IHC acquisition itself, but they demonstrate the wider space ecosystem that IHC would gain exposure to through its majority investment.
## **Why the UAE is investing heavily in space**
The UAE has spent years building domestic capabilities across space science, satellite communications, Earth observation and exploration.
The commercial side of the industry is now becoming increasingly important.
Instead of space activities being concentrated exclusively within government programmes, private companies are developing satellite manufacturing, data services, AI-powered Earth observation and other commercially scalable technologies.
The IHC-Marlan Space transaction could accelerate this shift by bringing major private investment behind an Abu Dhabi-based commercial space platform.
## **Has the acquisition been completed?**
Not yet.
IHC announced on **September 8, 2026** that International Tech Group SP LLC is **in the process of acquiring** the 80% stake.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
This distinction is important: IHC has announced its planned majority acquisition, but the transaction should not yet be described as fully completed.
## **Why this matters**
This is much more than an investment in a satellite company.
If completed, the acquisition would give IHC a major position across satellite manufacturing, AI-powered Earth observation, advanced computing and emerging space infrastructure while giving Marlan Space greater resources to scale internationally.
It also strengthens Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a place where satellites are not only operated or financed, but **designed, manufactured, tested and deployed for customers around the world**.
For the UAE, the bigger story is the continued transformation of its space sector from ambitious government missions into a broader commercial technology industry.
## **Source Credits**
Information source/resource owners: IHC, Marlan Space, Emirates News Agency (WAM), Gulf News, The National and Khaleej Times.
## **Image Credits**
Image credit/resource owners: **IHC, Marlan Space and Orbitworks.**
For an official visual, IHC’s newsroom carries the September 8 acquisition announcement:
IHC Newsroom – Marlan Space acquisition announcement
Marlan Space also provides official satellite and Orbitworks imagery:
Marlan Space official website