Critical Capability Against Iran: Ofeq 13 and Ofeq 19 Satellites Win Israel Defense Prize

The satellite project received the award at a ceremony held at the President’s Residence.

"Ofeq 13" and "Ofeq 19" operate to provide intelligence for offensive and defensive needs, including target building and real-time threat detection, among them identifying missiles launched toward Israeli territory. The satellites were awarded the Israel Defense Prize for 2026.

President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir presented the 2026 Israel Defense Prize yesterday, Wednesday, at a ceremony held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. The prize was awarded to five outstanding projects that made a significant contribution to the security of the state, בראשם בראשם the operationalization and implementation of the "Ofeq 13" and "Ofeq 19" satellite program, which enables the security establishment to receive high-quality, reliable intelligence at any given time, and represents a breakthrough in performance, volume and weight.

The satellite array operates to provide intelligence for offensive and defensive needs, including target building and real-time threat detection, among them identifying missiles launched toward Israeli territory. The satellites have significant collection capabilities, since they allow the building of a situational picture over time, identifying processes and connecting dots taking place in different locations. In an arena such as Iran, which is distant and complex, this capability becomes a central component.

Defense and attack from space

The prize was awarded to the Missiles and Space Systems Division and the Elta Division of Israel Aerospace Industries, to the Space Directorate, to the R&D unit in the Defense Ministry’s Mafat, and to Unit 9900 in the IDF Intelligence Directorate.

The advantage of activity from space is the ability to provide continuous observation of distant areas without dependence on a presence on the ground. The satellites’ sensors make it possible to collect information in high resolution and under a variety of conditions, and sometimes make it possible to see things that are difficult to detect by other means.

Israel’s collection satellite array was established in 1995, after an initial unsuccessful attempt in 1991. The array is characterized by relatively small satellites with high performance, with one of the world’s best weight, quality and cost ratios. The IDF Intelligence Directorate is responsible for defining operational needs and operating the systems for intelligence-gathering purposes.

In addition to the satellite array, the prize was also awarded to a unique weapons system that played a central role in the campaign against Iran, to a classified operational system of the Mossad, to a technological development by Unit 81 in the Intelligence Directorate, and to the development of electronic warfare systems to preserve the Air Force’s air superiority.

The ceremony was also attended by Mossad chief Roman Gofman and Shin Bet chief David Zini.