Israel launches spy satellite to expand Middle East surveillance capability

Official says Ofek 19 is part of a broader effort to maintain 'persistent, simultaneous surveillance' across the region

Israel launched the Ofek 19 satellite on Tuesday night. Photo: Israeli Ministry of Defence

Israel has launched a new spy satellite that defence officials described as a strategic cornerstone, saying it will strengthen their surveillance capacity across the Middle East in the years ahead.

Israel's military did not say from where the satellite, called Ofek 19, was launched on Tuesday evening.

Military officials and Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the satellite will enhance Israel’s ability to collect images like the 12,000 gathered over Iran during a 12-day war earlier this year.

"This is also a message to all our enemies, wherever they may be - we are keeping an eye on you at all times and in every situation. And in general, a message to the peoples of the region - come collaborate with these capabilities for a better shared future for all of us," Mr Katz said in a post on X.

Mr Katz called the launch “a moment of immense national pride”, and said the satellite represents “another layer of Israel’s strength” dealing with long-range threats.

In addition to monitoring Iran, Israel gains reconnaissance capabilities in other parts of the Middle East as it conducts what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called a “seven-front war”, with Israeli forces striking targets in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq throughout the 23 months of war in Gaza.

Maj Gen Amir Baram, director general of the Israeli Defence Ministry, said Ofek 19 was part of a broader effort "to maintain persistent, simultaneous surveillance of any point throughout the Middle East”.

The ministry said on Wednesday morning that the spacecraft had successfully entered orbit, begun transmitting data, and passed a series of initial tests.

Israel’s decades-old space programme has expanded its fleet of satellites with several launches in recent years. It is one of the few nations with high-resolution monitoring and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

The aerospace and defence industry is a pillar of Israel’s economy. The Ofek 19 satellite's manufacturer, Israel Aerospace Industries, builds and sells satellites, missile systems, drones and aircraft to Israel as well as countries in Europe, Asia and North America.