After launching the Horizon 16 observation satellite, security experts estimate that this is another upgrade to Israeli intelligence • "In the past we needed aircraft"

Earlier this morning, the Israeli defense industry and the defense establishment launched the Horizon Horizon 16 into space, at "Israel Today" we explored the significance of holding such a military intelligence asset in space. The Horizon 16 satellite, according to what has been published, is a highly advanced electro-optical observation satellite and is considered to be extremely advanced.

Documentation of the Horizon Horizon 1 launch satellite // Courtesy of Ministry of Defense spokesmen

Head of Space Amnon Harari said after the launch that: "While the threats to the State of Israel are many and varied, the satellites answer is ideal because they stay in space all the time, and if there are several such satellites it gives a good indication." Aerospace plant manager Shlomi Sudri added: "This is an electro-optical observation satellite. It enhances groundbreaking capabilities and enhances technology capabilities. Satellite launch preparations were at the peak of the Corona. The mission was defined as strategic. We are currently conducting a series of tests before delivering the satellite to the security system." .

As mentioned, we have approached key intelligence personnel to understand how important and significant the satellite project is to the State of Israel and what advantage the satellites have for us, for example, against an enemy state such as Iran, which also recently launched its own satellite into space.

Exceptional achievement with significant and critical information retrieval capabilities

Reserve Major General Amos Gilad, former head of the Defense-Political Division at the Ministry of Defense, explains that launching a satellite into space is an extraordinary achievement, which, among other things, dramatically enhances Israel's ability to gather information and also improves its ability to cope with its enemies in the region.

"Every superlative we say is right in this case. It is a huge strategic achievement, with a deterrent advantage, every such satellite advances Israel and has great capabilities that are developed for Israel's response to its threats in the region. As he said about the Hermon Golani fighter at the time: 'Hermon is the eyes Of the state, "so it's about satellites orbiting the Earth and gathering information for Israel at a very precise or high level of observation," said the former head of the Security-Political Division of the Ministry of Defense.

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Maj. Gen. Amos Gilad further emphasized: "In the past, we had to fly planes and use other spyware to gather information on enemies and elements operating in distant and distant areas of Israel, and we now have a satellite with very good visual means to carry out this mission.

In his remarks, Major General emphasized, "It is important to say that Israel is also very advanced in the field and very accomplished in that, beyond the launch of satellite itself, so it is difficult to overstate the importance of such a tool in gathering critical information from near and far places and the contribution of such a tool to Israel. I congratulate the Israeli defense and industry for this success, especially in the current Corona era that there is not much good news in the world, it is truly exceptional. " 

Satellite is the best way to really know what the other side is doing

In another conversation we had with Professor Uzi Arad, who was formerly the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister and the head of the National Security Council (NSC), he explained that "satellites, on their state-of-the-art equipment, are a key tool in assessing a country's risks and financial spending on security. When you know in depth what is going on in your enemy's backyard, what is motivating, what forces are where and what measures is key, then you can prepare and prepare at the same time. "

Arad described the importance of satellite knowledge through the Cold War arms race. "One of the major problems, for example, in the Cold War, between the West and the Soviet Union, was that neither side could rely on the other's promises in developing weapons, creating a crazy arms race that wasted both sides on very expensive and long time money. Once there were satellites, then either side could Not just relying on the other party's promises, but seeing for themselves, and this created a basis for trust between the West and the East, because it was possible to follow in real time and understand what each party was doing. "

We asked Professor Arad about the Israeli importance of holding such an intelligence asset in space and he explained that "Israel also needs to constantly know what Iran is doing, what it is blowing up, what it is planning, what forces it is driving and where. So when you have eyes in space with different capabilities "You can track more in depth and know what to invest in, what you work on, etc. It's important to note that this is not enough, because there is always something to see and what to look for and more."

Arad described the construction of the nuclear reactor in Syria as something he managed to evade from Israeli satellites, but emphasized that the importance of holding such a tool only strengthens the ability to gather information, even if to some extent it is a little late. "For example, Israel did not recognize the reactor that Syria is building in real time, even though it had satellites in space. Only after we got information did we know where to look. This is one of the problems that any intelligence has, and you always have greater needs than even a fleet of satellites can provide. Once you use business entities that upload satellites to space that shoot for anything and whatever quality you want. But when you have such an elaborate means and you know where or what to look then your level of knowledge about the place is very high. "

Prof. Arad referred to recent events at the Nantes nuclear facility in Iran, explaining: "It also explains why the Iranians handed over pictures from their site at the Nantes exploded. It might have been better for them to submit their own photos, and not for other parties to try to take pictures alone and know what else they would find out. In this case - the pictures were given that the Iranians know that in any case everyone will try to look at them with satellites. By the way, you can see images that there was movement of forces and vehicles in the field. This is the great advantage the satellites have, you always look at the enemy. A tremendous advantage. Here, too, is Israel's ability to produce good means for it and for its requirements and the size of our satellites which are small. This is also a huge advantage. "