“We’re not just a Startup Nation—we’re a Space Nation,” Israeli president Issac Herzog said.

Last month, Israel was still embroiled in its two-year-long war against Hamas in Gaza. Despite many of the nation’s assets being deployed to further its efforts in the enclave, the Jewish state did not hold back on other fronts. Notably, Israel’s newest spy satellite launched in September and beamed back its first images roughly two weeks later. Israel’s president, Issac Herzog, commented on the achievement, “I was moved to witness the launch of Ofek 19—a satellite made in Israel. It’s inspiring to see the extraordinary capabilities of Israeli industries. Years of outstanding, focused work have reached places we couldn’t imagine. We’re not just a Startup Nation—we’re a Space Nation.” Herzog added, “Israel must have a presence in space, where humanity’s future lies, and where critically important strategic capabilities are developed—particularly in the arena in which we are engaged.”

Israel Aerospace Industries constructed the satellite from the ground up, along with collaboration from Unit 9900 and the Israeli Air Force. Once the “Ofek 19” satellite successfully passes a series of tests, it will become operational with the Israeli Air Force. Space satellites provide obvious benefits for the Jewish state, which is surrounded by hostile adversaries largely funded and directed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Being able to keep a closer eye on Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and even the Houthis in Yemen will benefit Israel’s security strategy.

Once operational, Ofek 19 will serve as an additional defensive layer for Israel. While a space satellite may not fully qualify as an air defense capability, it will only benefit Israel’s observation techniques. Currently, Israel relies on its Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow 2/3 systems to provide unparalleled security. The Iron Dome functions as the first layer in this air defense apparatus, tasked with taking out short-range rockets at an efficiency rate of over 90 percent. Considering the vast majority of projectiles launched by Hamas and other nearby non-state actors fall into this category, the Iron Dome has been constantly at work since October 2023, when the war began. 

David’s Sling works in tandem with the Iron Dome. As the mid-tier in Israel’s line of defense, this system intercepts tactical ballistic missiles and large-caliber rockets. The next tier is comprised of the Arrow 2/3 systems, which are designed to destroy targets both in and outside the atmosphere. This family of anti-ballistic missiles functions by directly hitting a target and destroying it via kinetic force. Israel is also working to make its new Iron Beam high-energy laser weapon operational by the end of the year. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the solid-state laser utilizes a solid crystalline material to focus the beam and is considered to be one of a kind in the defense sphere.

Once the Iron Beam and the Ofek 19 reach full operational capacity, Israel’s defensive strategy will become even more ironclad.

About the Author: Maya Carlin

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.

Image: DVIDS.

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