Australian satellite operator NewSat has won a US$280mn loan from US Export-Import Bank (US Exim) to finance the construction and launch of the Jabiru-1 satellite programme.

NewSat is expected to receive an additional US$100mn debt facility guarantee from France’s export-credit agency Coface, due to the involvement of French launch service provider Arianespace.

The Jabiru-1 satellite programme will launch its fleet of satellites in late 2014 to deliver high-powered Ka-band coverage for government around the world.

The satellites will initially focus on the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia, with longer-term coverage extending into the Pacific Ocean and the Americas, NewSat says.