Israel has launched a new spy satellite

Text by: Guilhem Delteil Follow

1 min

Israel launched a new spy satellite into orbit last night. Ofek 16 was launched from a military base in the center of the country at 4 a.m. on Monday. This new surveillance satellite is to strengthen Israeli intelligence capabilities, particularly with regard to Iran.

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With our correspondent in Jerusalem,

"  It is an extraordinary accomplishment  " hailed the Minister of Defense. Only thirteen countries in the world have the capacity to launch a satellite, underlines Benny Gantz.

But this surveillance satellite is especially important strategically, judge Sima Shine, head of the Iran program at the Institute for National Security Studies, an Israeli research center: "  I do not think that this radically changes the situation and the possibilities, but Israel has put into orbit an important tool for deciding where to look, how to look. To have real-time assessments of places and situations. I think it's important.  " 

Israel launched its first Ofek satellite in 1988, but this, touted as an " electro-optic with advanced capabilities " reconnaissance satellite,   is believed to offer new intelligence opportunities. The Defense Ministry, however, has not disclosed any of these new capabilities. And it will take several days for the country's security officials to find out if the satellite is fully functional, it is currently in the testing phase.

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