If you had read the articles properly Israel seems to have funding problems just to keep
a single spysat in orbit. They dont need to launch enough sats to perfect and improve their launchers and Shavit failed with Ofek4 also.
There is a readymade solution to the problem. Indias PSLV which has a proven record
of lofting multiple sats into MEO orbit and has a 1-ton into GTO coming up next year (metsat). It can loft atleast twice the shavit payload into LEO permitting large and more functional sats without pinching the space and power budgets designers face.
In exchange I am sure India wouldnt mind buying a couple of Ofek6s outright followed by buying of components for our own spysats. the interest in leasing capacity in Ofek5 is already public 😀 israeli components are almost certainly part of our TES (1m res iminit) and maybe upcoming cartosats also (3D terrain mapper for awacs and cruise missile application) and the planned successor to TES. Nobody else will be selling such sensitive components.
india also has a better launching spot and obviously no leakage of tech to the unfriendly elements. looks like US doesnt want Israel to have any independent spysats
or launch vehicles at all (typical Unkil tactic) so getting US funding or help isnt an option.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1094440992585
http://www.globes.co.il/DocsEn/did=727269.htm 😉
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