Elbit and Israeli Defense Firms Supply Advanced F-15 Defense Systems to Saudi Arabia and Qatar

Israeli defense companies, including Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, have sold advanced weaponry and protection systems for F-15 fighter jets to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. These systems include missile defense technologies and combat helmets designed to enhance the aircraft's survivability.

In Israel, it was revealed that the air defense system installed on the plane used by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during his 2022 visit to Tehran was produced by Elbit. Qatar's royal fleet includes 11 aircraft, used by the Emir and Prime Minister for international travel. Analysis of publicly available images shows that three of these planes, including two Boeing 747s and an Airbus A340, were equipped with Elbit’s C-MUSIC (Sky Shield) system between 2020 and 2022 during maintenance in Basel. This system, mounted on the rear fuselage, detects heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles and emits an infrared beam to disrupt missile targeting, proving especially effective against shoulder-fired missiles.

Elbit and other Israeli firms are also involved in Qatar’s advanced F-15 project, as indicated by a U.S. Department of Defense contract with Boeing. In 2017, Boeing secured a multi-billion dollar deal to supply Qatar with 36 F-15QA "Ababil" jets by 2023.

Official documents and images also reveal that Saudi Arabia is an indirect customer of Israeli companies. Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has received dozens of new F-15SA jets under a major contract with Boeing. The U.S. Defense Department stated that the deal included delivery of 462 advanced JHMCS helmets and 462 night vision goggles, the same models sold to Qatar.