Chile’s national satellite system could be at risk after the exclusion of Israeli companies from the International Air and Space Fair, which will take place from April 9 to 14 in Santiago.
This Thursday, several former heads of the Armed Forces warned in a public letter of the implications for “national security” of the decision of the government of President Gabriel Boric.
In the letter, signed by Brigadier General (R) José Gaete, and Air General (R) Osvaldo Sarabia, they maintain that “the suspension of the participation of Israeli defense companies in FIDAE 2024 produces serious strategic political effects, since our country has a great dependence on Israel in Defense and space development, since the National Satellite System SNSAT, in its entirety depends on companies from that country.”
Héctor Gutiérrez, former president of the Chilean Space Association (ACHIDE), reiterates that Israel, both at the government level and at the private company level, has been related but for a very long time with Chile regarding space development, and specifically satellite in Chili.
Gutiérrez recalled that when the tender was made for the FASAT Charly satellite, launched in 2012, Israel participated in the tender that was finally awarded to the European EADS.
What is SNSAT?
Millionaire project
After the FASAT Charly tender, the Hebrew country was successful in being awarded the Chilean National Satellite System, a $120 million project with a five-year program.
“Chile took a gamble, let’s call it that, with a tremendous offer, with a tremendous program,” Gutiérrez highlighted to The counter.
In that framework, “now with this, well, unfortunately, we are worried, we don’t know how far it can escalate. It is assumed that there is a contract signed with that one, but the truth is that Chile has based its satellite development on the offer and on the program that it sold to us.”
The specialist also recalled that Israel is co-owner of the FASAT Delta satellite launched in 2023.
“It is not that this satellite is ours, the satellite is in fact controlled by Israel, and we can make use of the satellite images that FASAT Delta sends us,” he warned.
Regarding how the controversy could affect the Chilean satellite system, Gutiérrez “the truth is that we are very committed.”
“I don’t know how much this issue can escalate with Israel, but the truth is that if the contract that Chile has signed through the Air Force with Israel were to be affected, I would say that Chilean satellite and space development affects us. because we would have to leave again.”
“National security”
One of the signatories of the letter also confirmed the serious implications of the Executive’s decision.
Former Vice Admiral of the Navy José Miguel Romero told this medium that simply “a mistake was made there.”
“Israel, for Chile, has always been an important strategic partner. So, the decision made is very respectable because it is a State authority, let’s say. I do not question that, but rather the effect that this decision has or could have on national security is important.”
“It is important and for that reason that the organizations withdrawing from national defense, such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, expressed concern about the impact that this decision could have to close the door to the Israeli industry that has always supported us. , to the FIDAE, which is the main defense fair in America, I would say, along with other impacts also to national development,” said the former officer.
Romero cited among these precisely the “satellite technology that supports our system and that supports industry, agriculture, a series of groups that follow that line of national development.”
“I don’t know what the reaction of the Israeli government will be, but such an extreme or drastic decision at the last minute is worrying. The entire Israeli organization has always presented itself at FIDAE with a large stand, with a lot of participation, a lot of people come,” he warned.
Historical link
Romero also recalled the historical link between Chile and Israel, since the 70s.
“Since the 70s we have had a very close bond with Israel, it was one of the few countries that supported us significantly when everyone else closed their doors to us through the Kennedy Amendment and allowed us to somehow confront neighborhood crises. that we had in the 70s and 80s, thanks to their support. So, that cannot be forgotten either,” he expressed.
Romero gave as an example that, in the case of the Navy, there are three active missiles at this minute, which are Israeli-made, the first of which arrived in the late 70s.
“And for that reason it is also that progress continues in this strategic alliance to be able to have and maintain the systems acquired by the command and control institutions for weapons systems, etc., with Israel, because it is a reliable partner.”