Israel plans development of space weapons capable of striking targets on Earth
Defense Minister Israel Katz said space capabilities would provide the IDF with an advantage in future conflicts as Israel seeks to become a leading space power.
Israel is set to invest in offensive space capabilities as part of its Defense Ministry's multiyear budget plan for the space sector, with a focus on systems to protect Israeli satellites from hostile spacecraft and weapons capable of striking targets on Earth from space, according to the source. The plan also includes upgrades to existing capabilities, such as enhanced intelligence collection from space and improved communications systems, as well as a dedicated budget for offensive space activity.
The Defense Ministry's multiyear plan emphasizes expanding intelligence collection capabilities through various layers, enabling round-the-clock, weather-resistant, and simultaneous operations across multiple locations. Additionally, it aims to establish resilient and continuous communications for the defense establishment. The Directorate of Defense Research and Development (MAFAT), the IDF, and Israel's defense industries are collaborating on a planning and development process to achieve these objectives.
The acceleration of the process is attributed to Operation Roaring Lion, which expanded the Defense Ministry and IDF's use of satellites for precise intelligence gathering. Defense Minister Israel Katz has emphasized the need for a rapid upgrade in the space domain to create an advantage over enemy states and position Israel among the world's top five countries in the field.
Katz believes that space-based capabilities will provide the IDF with a significant advantage in future conflicts, complementing the expertise of Military Intelligence and the Air Force. The space dimension allows for both daytime and nighttime photography, penetration of clouds, and high-resolution imaging capabilities. One of the satellites involved in this initiative, the Ofek 19 satellite, is a SAR satellite (Synthetic Aperture Radar), which differs from traditional electro-optical imaging satellites by generating images using electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the satellite itself towards the ground.
This technology enables the satellite to create intelligence imagery regardless of lighting conditions.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
