Israel launches new spy satellite, overseen by Gallant

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel put a new version of its Ofek spy satellite into orbit on Wednesday, with the Defence Ministry saying it would enhance around-the-clock regional monitoring as the country braces for a possible showdown with Iran.

The launch, planned months in advance, was overseen by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant – a signal he was staying in office despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement on Sunday that he would be fired amidst a constitutional crisis.

The Ofek-13, manufactured by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Ltd, is the latest in a series of locally produced satellites first put into orbit in 1988.

It was launched on a Shavit missile over the Mediterranean Sea, a westward trajectory Israel usually opts for as a precaution against sensitive technology falling into the hands of hostile Middle East neighbours should there be a malfunction.

“We will continue to prove that even the sky isn’t the limit for the Israeli defence establishment,” said a statement by Gallant, who on Saturday broke ranks with Netanyahu by calling for a halt to a bitterly contested judicial overhaul plan.

The next day, Netanyahu announced Gallant’s dismissal – triggering a surge of anti-government protests and stoking U.S. concern for Israel’s democratic health and military readiness.

IAI CEO Boaz Levy said the Ofek-13 is “the most advanced of its kind, with unique radar observation capabilities, and will enable intelligence collection in any weather and conditions of visibility”.

(Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Angus MacSwan)