From the Liveblog of
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Israel sold advanced F-15 systems to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, report says
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAdvanced Israeli weapons systems, including air defense systems and computerized battle helmets for F-15 jets, have been sold to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the Haaretz news outlet reports, citing public documents and open-source analysis of images.
Out of the Qatari royal family’s 11 planes, three have Elbit’s C-MUSIC air defense system installed, the report says, citing analysis of publicly available photos, and adding that they were installed between 2020 and 2022 while undergoing maintenance in Basel.
The report says that the contract for the 2017 US-Qatar deal to sell F-15QA Ababil warplanes to Qatar shows that Israeli firms won tenders for $150-250 million subcontracts to supply advanced parts and systems for the jets, including 160 JHMCS helmets worth some $200,000 each, and AN/AVS-9 night vision glasses.
The report also cites a US Defense Department statement from 2010 as showing that, as part of a Boeing contract to sell F-15SA jets to Saudi Arabia, Riyadh received 462 JHMCS helmets and 462 night vision glasses of the same models sold to Qatar.
It says online footage shows the helmets are indeed in use.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar both have no diplomatic relations or open defense ties with Israel. Alleged ties to Qatar by members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s circle are at the center of the Qatargate scandal.
The Times of Israel Community.