JERUSALEM, June 28, 2026 — Israeli defense companies Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have supplied advanced aerospace equipment, aircraft protection systems, and fighter jet components to Qatar and Saudi Arabia under export agreements collectively valued at hundreds of millions of dollars and shekels, according to documents and photographs reviewed by media outlets.
The agreements include anti-missile defense systems for Qatar's royal aircraft as well as advanced pilot equipment for the F-15 fighter fleets operated by both Gulf countries. The exports were carried out under the regulatory oversight of the Israeli Defense Ministry, which requires licensing and compliance procedures for the transfer of strategic defense technologies.
Advanced Equipment for F-15 Fighter Fleets
A major part of the contracts focuses on improving the operational capabilities of Qatar's F-15QA (Qatari Advanced) and Saudi Arabia's F-15SA (Saudi Advanced) fighter aircraft.
Israeli companies supplied Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) helmets and night vision goggles for pilots operating the aircraft. The JHMCS is an advanced digital helmet that projects essential flight data, targeting information, and sensor imagery directly onto the pilot's visor, allowing pilots to identify and engage targets simply by turning their heads toward them.
The system significantly enhances situational awareness and enables faster target acquisition during both daytime and nighttime operations when used with compatible night vision equipment. Each JHMCS helmet is estimated to cost approximately $200,000 and is widely used on several advanced fighter aircraft, including F-15 variants.
C-MUSIC Missile Defense System for Qatar's Royal Aircraft
In addition to fighter aircraft equipment, Elbit Systems has installed its C-MUSIC (Multi-Spectral Infrared Countermeasure) system on three aircraft belonging to Qatar's royal fleet.
The C-MUSIC system is designed to protect large aircraft, including VIP and government transport aircraft, against attacks from heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles. The system uses a directed infrared countermeasure that employs advanced laser technology to detect, track, and disrupt the infrared guidance sensors of incoming missiles before they can reach the aircraft.
The installation provides an additional layer of protection for aircraft used by the Emir of Qatar during international travel and official missions. C-MUSIC has previously been integrated onto various military and civilian aircraft platforms for self-protection against missile threats.
Financial Scope of the Agreements
The combined value of the exports, including missile defense systems, advanced pilot equipment, and F-15 aircraft components, amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars and shekels, although official figures have not been publicly disclosed. Details regarding contract timelines and delivery schedules also remain limited because of the sensitive nature of defense exports.
The transactions include specialized aerospace technologies supplied by Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, reflecting continued demand for advanced aircraft protection systems and pilot equipment in the modernization programs of Gulf air forces.
Regional Defense Modernization
The agreements demonstrate the continued role of Israeli defense manufacturers in supplying specialized aerospace and defense technologies to regional partners. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have invested heavily in modernizing their air forces through advanced fighter aircraft, aircraft survivability systems, and next-generation pilot equipment designed to improve operational effectiveness.
The deliveries also highlight the expanding use of Israeli-developed aircraft protection technologies, including laser-based missile defense systems and advanced helmet-mounted targeting systems, across modern military aviation platforms in the Middle East.
All exports were conducted under the supervision of the Israeli Defense Ministry, which oversees licensing and compliance requirements for international sales of strategic defense equipment.
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