On 13 November 2018, Eutelsat Communications S.A. announced that it formally selected Airbus Defence and Space to manufacture two next generation HOTBIRD satellites based on the Eurostar Neo satellite bus/platform. This, in effect, solidifies the earlier MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) made in August 2018 for the construction of HOTBIRD 13F and 13G into an order. Scheduled for launch in 2021, the new satellites will replace the three existing HOTBIRD satellites at the 13E GEO slot.
