The launch of an Israeli strategic satellite from India was postponed for a second time.
This week’s TechSAR spy satellite launch, scheduled under a strategic cooperation deal between Jerusalem and New Delhi, was postponed indefinitely.
Indian media said the delay was due to U.S. pressure given Israel’s plans to share the images beamed down by TechSAR with the Indians. Israeli security sources denied any pressure from the United States, suggesting instead that a technical mishap was at fault.
The TechSAR launch originally was scheduled for September.
TechSAR’s advanced cameras reportedly will allow the satellite to relay high-resolution ground images in almost any weather conditions. It would provide a huge boon for Israel in tracking Iran and for India in tracking Pakistan.
India is Israel’s biggest defense client, but tJerusalem has voiced some misgivings about New Delhi’s robust ties with Iran.
