As tensions with Syria spiral skyward and Iran polishes its sabers, Israel is upgrading its space-based intelligence gathering capacity. Aviation Week reports that India will shortly be launching a spy satellite made by none other than ELTA Electronics, an arm of Israel Aerospace Industries. The specific launch date of the military imaging radar satellite, called Polaris/TecSat, depends on weather conditions in the Bay of Bengal. The satellite can "see" day or night to a resolution of one meter. Aviation Week says the Polaris/TecSat complements Israel's Ofek-7 satellite, which was launched in June from Israel itself. A previous launch, of Ofek-6, failed. Israel and India cooperate on a range of strategic, defense and military issues. (Yossi Melman)

The investment bank CIBC yesterday repeated a Buy rating for Check Point Software Technologies shares, saying that the network-security firm has been conquering new market segments. Analyst Avivit Mannet-Kalil's 12-month price target for the stock is $30. CIBC noted that second-quarter revenues increased by 26 percent over the parallel quarter of 2006, to $180 million, on which Check Point netted 38 cents per share. Two weeks before the third quarter ends, CIBC adds, it finds Check Point's business strong and much interest in the company's new concept of comprehensive solutions. (Omri Cohen)