IHC pursues 80% stake in Marlan Holding

Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company (IHC) plans to acquire an 80% stake in Marlan Holding, granting the investment group controlling interest in the UAE-based Marlan Space. IHC’s wholly owned subsidiary, International Tech Group SP LLC, is overseeing the transaction, which is pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Financial terms have not been disclosed. Marlan Holding RSC Ltd oversees Marlan Space, a company focused on space and related businesses and technologies. Marlan Space’s portfolio includes space systems, autonomous operations, and advanced computing. IHC’s acquisition is part of its strategy to expand into deep technology and the growing commercial space economy.

The deal aims to provide a platform for investment and growth in satellite infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and emerging space technologies. IHC CEO Syed Basar Shueb stated that this acquisition positions the company strategically in the new space economy and grants Marlan Space access to IHC’s capital, capabilities, and Dynamic Value Networks to support its next growth phase.

Space is becoming a crucial part of the global technology and infrastructure landscape, with applications in communications, Earth observation, data, and artificial intelligence. Marlan Space’s centerpiece is Orbitworks, a private space infrastructure company in Abu Dhabi, created as a joint venture with US-based Loft Orbital. Orbitworks focuses on manufacturing commercial satellites at scale and operates from a facility in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi.

Designed for producing Earth observation, communications, and other spacecraft, the facility supports specialized payloads. Marlan Space’s Altair program, an AI-enabled Earth observation constellation, combines multiple sensors and onboard computing to process data closer to its source. The first satellite has been completed, with additional units being assembled in Abu Dhabi.

The acquisition follows a day later by plans to develop a large-scale artificial intelligence infrastructure in space, known as Altair-Next Gen, involving Marlan Space, Loft Orbital, French AI company Mistral AI, and other partners. IHC estimates the project will cost up to $1 billion and utilizes a satellite constellation to run AI models in orbit, enabling data analysis in space rather than relying solely on ground stations for processing.

Initial applications for Altair-Next Gen include maritime awareness, wildfire detection, disaster response, and protecting ports and critical infrastructure. Orbitworks is expected to manufacture satellites for the project at its Abu Dhabi facility, with the constellation expected to scale from 10 to 50 satellites for continuous observation and faster alerts.

Marlan Space CEO Hamdullah Mohib emphasized the company's strategy of moving intelligence into orbit and building this capability from the UAE. Mohib also serves as CEO of Orbitworks. For IHC, the proposed majority purchase expands its portfolio of over 1,300 subsidiaries and investments across financial services, energy, property, healthcare, and technology.