Israel has launched a new spy satellite that it said would provide high-quality surveillance for its military intelligence.

In a statement on social media on Monday, Israel's Ministry of Defence said “Ofek 16” was shot into space at 4 am local time [01:00 GMT].

The electro-optical reconnaissance satellite will “will undergo a series of tests to determine its propriety and performance level.,” it added.

The first images are expected in about a week.

There were no further details on the satellite's mission, but there are claims that it would be used to monitor the nuclear activities of Iran. Tehran denies its nuclear programme has any military dimension.

Minister of Defence Benny Gantz said intelligence capabilities are “essential” to Israel's security.