Space: July 26, 2000

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Israel and Singapore have signed a new deal to jointly build spy satellites that will benefit both nations and transform two regions. Under the deal, Singapore will finance Israeli design, development, and manufacture of a new series of military communications and spy satellites, based on but advanced beyond the Ofeq series now in orbit for Israel. The result will be that Israel gets a new generation of satellites without having to pay to develop them, while Singapore gets its first satellite system without having to deal with the US, Russia, or France. Israel and Singapore have reportedly done military deals totaling $1 billion over the last decade.--Stephen V Cole