Saudi Arabia and Qatar have reportedly purchased advanced military equipment from Israel, including air defense systems and computerized battle helmets for F-15 fighter jets, according to Israeli media outlet Haaretz. The report states that Qatar’s royal fleet includes three aircraft equipped with Elbit Systems’ C-MUSIC air defense system, installed between 2020 and 2022 during maintenance in Basel, Switzerland. The system uses radar and laser technology to detect and neutralize incoming shoulder-fired missiles.

Haaretz further reported that when Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited Tehran, his aircraft was equipped with the Israeli-made C-MUSIC system. The report also cited U.S. defense documents showing that Israeli companies won subcontracts worth $150–250 million to supply advanced components for Qatar’s F-15QA Ababil jets, including 160 JHMCS helmets and night-vision goggles. Similarly, Saudi Arabia received 462 JHMCS helmets and matching night-vision goggles as part of its F-15SA deal.

Neither Saudi Arabia nor Qatar maintains formal diplomatic or defense relations with Israel, though reports before October 2023 suggested Riyadh was considering normalization.