Israel Aerospace Industries Chairman Boaz Levy announced that the Israeli government has approved and begun executing a plan to deploy a large constellation of small satellites for continuous surveillance. The system is designed to track areas of interest extending from Iran to Turkey.

Levy made the announcement in a podcast interview on September 12, 2026. He stated that the initiative represents an expansion of Israel's space-based intelligence capabilities.

The chairman clarified the scope of the deployment, noting that it involves a substantial number of units rather than an uncontrolled increase. "I wouldn't use the term 'flood.' We are not talking about infinite quantities; we are talking about many satellites; it is a plan," he said. Funding for the satellite constellation program comes partly from Israel Aerospace Industries' research and development budgets and partly from the Defense Ministry. Israel launched three satellites in one year during an active war: the Dror communications satellite and two Ofek reconnaissance satellites.

"This demonstrates the capabilities of a superpower. In the middle of a war, we put more eyes in the sky and deployed another communications unit," he said. "I thought we already conquered it. IAI is a space superpower. This needs to be understood."

The historical foundation for these capabilities dates back several decades. Israel Aerospace Industries developed the concept of launching satellites with sensors to observe from space following the peace agreement with Egypt and the withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula in the late 1970s. At that time, only the United States and the Soviet Union possessed satellite observation capabilities similar to those later developed by Israel.

Operational integration of space data has become central to military planning. Ofek satellites provided the Israel Defense Forces with intelligence capabilities for precise strikes and operational planning during the war.

"Today it is no longer a secret that a pilot sitting in the cockpit receives an image taken from a satellite, which tells him where to fly and where to aim, and afterward it also tells him whether he hit the target or not," he said.

Beyond hardware, the organization is focusing on data integration and artificial intelligence. Israel Aerospace Industries is building databases and establishing dedicated units to integrate AI tools into operational systems. He argued that modern warfare requires seamless information sharing across all sectors.

"The data must flow from the same information pool to everyone, and at any given moment, for any given scenario, the system must find the optimal response based on the sensors and the effectors or munitions it possesses," he said. He noted that civilians, security forces, rescue forces, hospitals, and banks all rely on the same database during combat.

"Everyone sits on the same planning basis, and everyone needs to know how to cooperate," he said. He pointed to conflicts in Ukraine and Israel as evidence that battlefields have shifted away from traditional border lines.

"We've learned that wars no longer happen on the border. There is no line you can call a frontline where the war takes place," he said. "Look at Ukraine, look at Israel. The next wars are happening in cities."

The complexity of regional threats drives the need for autonomous systems. He cited the challenges of monitoring multiple adversaries simultaneously. "Think of Israel facing Yemen, Iran, Syria, Lebanon. This whole business is becoming very, very complex in terms of decision-making," he said.

Automation aims to reduce the physical and cognitive load on personnel. "We're talking about a world of autonomous capabilities. We need to reduce the burden on the soldier in the field by increasing the use of robots. We have seen the beginnings of this in the current war," he said.

He also addressed the evolution of drone defense strategies. He stated that Israel began addressing the drone threat later than it should have due to budget constraints and shifting priorities. Detection remains the primary prerequisite for effective interception.

"If I don't know it's there, I can't do anything about it. I think today we know how to provide a perfect response regarding the detection of drones," he said. He outlined a multi-layered approach to neutralizing aerial threats.

Interception layers for drones include kinetic means, electronic warfare, and lasers. "The answer needs to be all of the above. When you are talking about large quantities, about swarms, things coming from various places, you need a resilient and robust solution," he said.

He expressed confidence in the technical feasibility of integrating these systems. "It’s all relatively uncomplicated mathematics and computing tools that already exist today. We just need to connect them together to create the future solution," he said.

Levy has served as chairman of the board of directors of Israel Aerospace Industries since May 2026. He also serves as the company's CEO. His background includes work on the Arrow missile defense system.

"Israel needs to be a space superpower, at least among the top three in the world. I think we are approaching that big time," he said.

Timeline

On September 12, 2026, Boaz Levy stated that a plan to deploy a larger constellation of small satellites to continuously track areas of interest from Iran to Turkey has received government approval and is in execution. During the same interview, he said, "Think of Israel facing Yemen, Iran, Syria, Lebanon. This whole business is becoming very, very complex in terms of decision-making." He also stated, "I thought we already conquered it. IAI is a space superpower. This needs to be understood."

Regarding the scale of the new constellation, he said, "I wouldn't use the term 'flood.' We are not talking about infinite quantities; we are talking about many satellites; it is a plan." He concluded his assessment of Israel's status by saying, "Israel needs to be a space superpower, at least among the top three in the world. I think we are approaching that big time."

What's New

Additional reporting confirms details regarding the infrastructure supporting these capabilities. On September 2, 2025, the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), in collaboration with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), successfully launched the Ofek 19 satellite into space. The satellite entered its orbit, began transmission, and underwent a series of initial tests. The Ofek 19 satellite was launched on September 2, 2025, at 22:30 IST from an undisclosed test site by a three-phased 'Shavit' launcher.

Contextual information clarifies leadership roles and technical specifications. Boaz Levy has served as chairman of the board of directors of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) since May 2026. Boaz Levy is Israel Aerospace Industries CEO.

The low Earth orbit Ofeq satellites complete one Earth orbit every 90 minutes. Most Ofeq satellites have been carried on top of Shavit launch vehicles from Palmachim Airbase in Israel.

Why It Matters

The approval of a large satellite constellation marks a strategic shift toward continuous, real-time surveillance across a broad geographic range from Iran to Turkey. This expansion builds on the operational success of the Ofek 19 launch in 2025 and reflects a doctrine that integrates space-based intelligence directly into tactical decision-making for pilots and ground forces. The move aims to establish Israel as a top-tier space power capable of managing complex multi-front threats through autonomous systems and shared data pools.

The initiative addresses identified gaps in drone detection and urban warfare readiness, acknowledging that modern conflicts lack clear frontlines. By combining kinetic, electronic, and laser interception layers with AI-driven data integration, the plan seeks to create a resilient defense architecture. The reliance on both Defense Ministry funding and internal research budgets indicates the long-term financial commitment required to sustain this technological edge in the region.