Ofek is Israel's indigenous military observation-satellite family, built around compact low-Earth-orbit reconnaissance spacecraft launched mainly by Shavit rockets and operated through the Israeli defense establishment. Public releases describe electro-optical and synthetic-aperture-radar Ofek satellites feeding Unit 9900 and Israeli decision-makers with imagery for strategic intelligence, targeting support, battle-damage assessment, and persistent regional surveillance.
IAI said its Ofek reconnaissance satellites supported Operation Rising Lion by scanning tens of millions of square kilometers and delivering electro-optical and radar imagery around the clock; IMOD separately said Israeli satellite assets produced more than 12,000 images of Iranian territory and supported strike missions and target identification.
The public record presents Ofek as one layer in Israel's imagery-intelligence chain rather than a standalone strike weapon. IAI and IMOD describe the satellites, ground control, Unit 9900 processing, and operational users as a linked system that turns electro-optical or radar collection into target identification, strike support, and battle-damage assessment.
Ofek satellites provide electro-optical and SAR collection from low Earth orbit, with newer SAR spacecraft adding day, night, and all-weather imaging.
Sources: IAI Ofek 16 Launch; IAI Ofek 13 First Images; IAI Ofek 19 Launch; IAI TecSAR Product Page.
IAI control facilities, IMOD engineers, and IDF Unit 9900 appear in official releases as the handover and exploitation chain for satellite imagery.
Sources: IAI Ofek 16 First Images; IAI Ofek 13 First Images; Defense Update Ofek 16 Overview.
During Operation Rising Lion, official sources describe satellite imagery supporting target identification, rapid engagement, and strike missions over Iranian territory.
Sources: IAI Operation Rising Lion Systems; IMOD Operation Rising Lion Systems Assessment.
Public sources describe Ofek as a family rather than one spacecraft model. Recent rows distinguish electro-optical observation satellites such as Ofek 16 from SAR observation satellites such as Ofek 13 and Ofek 19.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ofek 1 | Initial observation-satellite demonstrator | IAI and IMOD marked Ofek 1 as Israel's first observation satellite, launched on September 19, 1988 to establish independent space capability. Sources: IAI Ofek 1 Anniversary Video Release |
| Ofek 13 | SAR observation satellite | IAI and IMOD described Ofek 13 as a SAR observation satellite with advanced capabilities and said its SAR payload was activated during post-launch testing before transfer to Unit 9900. Sources: IAI Ofek 13 First Images |
| Ofek 16 | Electro-optical reconnaissance satellite | The 2020 launch release described Ofek 16 as an electro-optical reconnaissance satellite launched by Shavit, with IAI as prime contractor and Elbit responsible for the camera and payload. Sources: IAI Ofek 16 Launch |
| Ofek 19 | SAR observation satellite | IAI and IMOD said Ofek 19 launched in September 2025 and joins Israel's operational satellite constellation; the release described it as an SAR satellite for day, night, all-weather intelligence collection. Sources: IAI Ofek 19 Launch |
Recent public Ofek launches and IAI product material identify Shavit as the domestic launch vehicle connecting the satellite family to Israel's independent access-to-space infrastructure.
| Launcher | Launcher type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Small satellite launcher | IAI says Shavit is used to launch Israeli OFEQ satellites, and Spaceflight Now reports identify Shavit 2 as the launch vehicle for Ofek 16 and Ofek 13 from Palmachim. Sources: IAI Shavit Product Page, IAI Ofek 16 Launch, Spaceflight Now Ofek 16 Launch, Spaceflight Now Ofek 13 Launch |
IAI and IMOD described Ofek 1 as Israel's first observation satellite and tied it to the development of an independent Israeli space capability.
Sources: IAI Ofek 1 Anniversary Video Release
The Israel Ministry of Defense and IAI launched Ofek 16 from central Israel using a Shavit launcher and began in-orbit testing before operational handover.
Sources: IAI Ofek 16 Launch
IAI and IMOD reported the first Ofek 16 images had been received at IAI's Yehud control station after gradual activation of the satellite's systems.
Sources: IAI Ofek 16 First Images
IAI and IMOD said Ofek 13's SAR payload was activated after launch and that the satellite would be prepared for operational transfer to IDF Unit 9900.
Sources: IAI Ofek 13 First Images
IAI said Ofek reconnaissance satellites delivered electro-optical and radar imagery during Operation Rising Lion, while IMOD described more than 12,000 satellite images of Iranian territory supporting the operation.
Sources: IAI Operation Rising Lion Systems, IMOD Operation Rising Lion Systems Assessment
IAI and IMOD launched Ofek 19 as an SAR satellite intended to strengthen Israeli day, night, and all-weather intelligence capability after the wartime satellite-imagery experience of Operation Rising Lion.
Sources: IAI Ofek 19 Launch
