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Israel launches spy satellite to keep a better eye on enemies
Israel on Monday (July 6) launched a new spy satellite that it said would provide high-quality surveillance for its military intelligence.
Israel has been building up its surveillance capabilities to monitor enemies such as Iran, whose nuclear program it sees as a major threat.
The satellite, called Ofek 16, was shot into space early Monday morning from a site in central Israel by a locally-developed Shavit rocket, which was used to launch previous Ofek satellites.
“We will continue to strengthen and maintain Israel’s capabilities on every front, in every place,” said Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
ما یک لحظه از تلاشهای خود در حوزه امنیت دست برنمیداریم. موفقیت ماهواره اوفک 16 توانائیهای ما در مقابله علیه دشمنان اسرائیل را بسیار افزایش میدهد، دشمنان نزدیک و دشمنان بسیار دور.
این ماهواره توانائی ما برای اقدام در دریا، زمین، هوا و نیز فضا را بسیار بالا میبرد. pic.twitter.com/9USCoJLKQs
— بنيامين نتانياهو (@israelipm_farsi) July 6, 2020
The Defense Ministry called Ofek 16 “an electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities.”
The first images will be received in about a week.
State-owned Israel Aerospace Industries was the main contractor for the project and the satellite’s payload was developed by defense firm Elbit Systems.
Source: Reuters