Israel’s recent wars against Iran have demonstrated that space is no longer merely a support system for military operations. Satellites have become an inseparable part of the battlefield, providing intelligence, secure communications, missile warnings and real-time assessments of targets.
During operations against Iran, Israeli satellites monitored vast areas every day and produced tens of thousands of images. These helped planners locate missile launchers, air defenses, command centers and nuclear facilities, while also allowing the IDF to assess damage immediately after each strike.
Space-based systems also played a direct role in protecting Israeli civilians. Missile alerts depended partly on orbital detection and communications capabilities that identified launches and rapidly transmitted warnings.
Israel entered the space race out of military necessity. Following the 1979 peace agreement with Egypt and Israel’s withdrawal from Sinai, reconnaissance flights over Egyptian territory were no longer possible. Israel therefore developed independent satellite capabilities, launching Ofek 1 in 1988.