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Monday, July 06, 2020, 15:02
Israel launches spy satellite to keep a better eye on enemies
By Reuters
Monday, July 06, 2020, 15:02 By Reuters

This handout photo released by SpaceX on February 21, 2019 shows a Falcon 9 launching the Nusantara Satu satellite to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), carrying Israel's Beresheet spacecraft, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. (PHOTO / AFP)

JERUSALEM - Israel on Monday 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

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.

READ MORE: Israel OKs plan for new Golan settlement

“We will continue to strengthen and maintain Israel’s capabilities on every front, in every place,” said Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

The Defense Ministry called Ofek 16 “an electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities.”

The first images will be received in about a week.

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State-owned Israel Aerospace Industries was the main contractor for the project and the satellite’s payload was developed by defense firm Elbit Systems.

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