Azerbaijan's space agency Azercosmos has acquired two multispectral electro-optical spy satellites from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The acquisition is part of the Azersky-2 program, a strategic initiative that promises to strengthen Azerbaijan's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. This was reported by the international publication C4ISRNET, specializing in the field of defense and intelligence.
Both Azercosmos and Israel Aerospace Industries, based in the Tel Aviv area, remain silent on the specific model of the satellite or the exact financial terms of the contract. However, earlier reports suggested that the estimated value of the agreement was in the region of $120 million. Defense News reported that the satellite model purchased was the OptSat-500, marking the first known sale of this particular variant of the satellite.
Unlike OptSat-3000, which was delivered to the Israel Defense Forces, OptSat-500 boasts advanced capabilities that are a game changer in the world of satellite technology. These new satellites are intended to replace the Airbus satellite currently used by Baku, which was launched in 2014 and suffered a communications blackout.
The new satellites, scheduled to launch in 2026 and 2028, are designed to provide high-resolution imagery with a remarkable 50 cm resolution. With a projected lifespan of approximately seven years, these advanced satellites provide superior performance at a lower cost than the OptSat-3000.
The Azersky-2 program goes beyond satellite acquisition and highlights a broader, long-term partnership between the Israeli firm and Azercosmos. This partnership aims to stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship and academic collaboration in space, promoting the development of a robust space ecosystem.
Beyond the technological implications, this deal has geopolitical implications. This places Israel's intelligence capabilities closer to the Iranian border, the shared border between Azerbaijan and Iran. Azerbaijan has been a key customer for both the Israeli aerospace industry and the Israel Defense Forces, purchasing weapons that have played a key role in the conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
