Jerusalem, Jul 6 (AP) Israel's Defence Ministry announced the successful launch of a new spy satellite early on Monday.

It said the “Ofek 16” reconnaissance satellite was launched at 4 a.m. from central Israel into space. It described the Ofek as an “electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities.”

Also Read | Odisha Reports 456 New COVID-19 Cases, Tally Reaches 9,526: Live News Breaking & Coronavirus Updates on July 6, 2020.

Shortly after the launch, it said the Ofek already was transmitting data and beginning to orbit around the Earth. It said engineers from the ministry and state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries were conducting tests before it begins full operational activities.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz called the launch an “extraordinary achievement.”

Also Read | What is Bubonic Plague? From Symptoms to How Fatal it is, Here's Everything You Need to Know About 'Black Death' as China City Reports Suspected Case.

“Technological superiority and intelligence capabilities are essential to the security of the state of Israel,” he said. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)