Israel: Case study for international missile trade and nonproliferation

Israel has been active in research and development of ballistic missile technology, as well as production, testing, and deployment of such systems. The Israeli government created a Science Corps in the military in 1948, and this group was active in developing the technological base for the components necessary for missile production. In September 1988, Israel launched its first satellite into orbit. The Ofek (Horizon) 1 satellite, which weighed 156 kilograms, was launched by the three-stage solid fueled Shavit (Comet). The Israeli space program is likely to grow in the near term, with an increasing emphasis on military applications. In a Knesset discussion following the intelligence failures preceding and during the Iraqi war, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens announced plans to develop reconnaissance satellites. Israeli exports of military technology and weapons are driven by a combination of security and economic requirements. Israel is an extremely small country, with very limited resources, and threats to security and national survival are primary considerations.