The potential proliferation of technologies demonstrated in Beijing's Jan. 11 ASAT test underscores the need for Israel to protect its growing space arsenal, said Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Maj. Gen. Elyezer Shkedy, commander of Israel's Air and Space Force.

"We are well aware of attempts by hostile states, especially by Iran, to acquire an independent space-launch capability," Peretz said of Tehran's plans to convert its Shahab-3 ballistic missile into a satellite launch vehicle. "We're also aware that … only recently a nation like China proved its ability to physically strike orbiting satellites. This capability compels us to prepare for the most difficult scenarios, in the event that, in the future, enemy states will be able to harm Israeli space assets."

And while experts here admit that China is unlikely to transfer full-up ASAT interceptors to Israel's adversaries, they noted that Beijing has been a leading supplier of ballistic missile and related technologies to Iran and other regional states.

We're not concerned about direct Chinese sales of complete ASAT systems, but their proliferation history over the past decade has shown that if the Iranians are willing to pay, they would be willing to provide the relevant technological assistance," said Uzi Rubin, a former director of the Israeli MoD's Missile Defense Organization.

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Opall-Rome, Barbara. "Israel Wary of China ASAT Test." Defense News. February 6, 2007.