Israel Signs 15-Year Deal With Elbit for Ro’em and Lahav Artillery Training Centre
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has signed a 15-year agreement with Elbit Systems to build and run a training centre for the Israel Defense Forces’ two new artillery systems: the Ro’em self-propelled howitzer and the Lahav rocket launcher. The ministry calls it a key milestone before both platforms fully enter operational service.
- Israel’s Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and Elbit Systems signed a 15-year agreement for an artillery training centre
- The centre will train IDF crews on the Ro’em (SIGMA) self-propelled howitzer and the Lahav (PULS) rocket launcher
- IMOD puts the value at over $190 million (about NIS 600 million); Elbit says about $170 million
- Elbit will provide infrastructure, classrooms, driving and mission simulators, instruction, maintenance and logistics
- Location, opening date and the number of simulators have not been disclosed
What the agreement covers
According to the ministry, the agreement was signed by the Land Procurement Unit of its Directorate of Defense Procurement together with IDF Ground Forces. Elbit will provide the physical infrastructure, classrooms, and driving and mission simulators for the SIGMA howitzer, known in Israel as Ro’em, and the PULS launcher, known as Lahav. It will also deliver instruction, maintenance and logistics services over the contract period (Israel Ministry of Defense).
Elbit says the centre will use simulation and automation, including AI-based functions, as well as driver training (Elbit Systems).
Two different values
The two parties give different figures. The Ministry of Defense says the agreement is worth over $190 million, or about NIS 600 million. Elbit’s own announcement puts the contract at about $170 million. Neither statement explains the gap, which could come from exchange rates or a different scope. Defense and Tech reports both figures as stated by each side.
Who said what
The ministry says the new training concept will shorten qualification and training times and save resources, budgets and wear on operational platforms. Zeev Landau, Deputy Director General and head of the Directorate of Defense Procurement, said the agreement strengthens the IDF’s power and readiness and will help the Artillery Corps realise “the full firepower potential of the SIGMA howitzer and the new systems”. Boaz Cohen, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Elbit Systems Land, said the training array would keep the artillery “at the highest level of readiness”.
The systems
Ro’em is Elbit’s SIGMA 155 mm howitzer mounted on a wheeled truck chassis, chosen to replace older tracked guns in IDF artillery units. Lahav is the IDF name for PULS, Elbit’s precise and universal launching system. PULS can fire rockets and missiles of several calibres from interchangeable pods and has been ordered by several European armies, including the Netherlands. See our top 10 multiple rocket launchers for comparison and our overview of Israel’s military for wider context.
Neither statement gives the centre’s location, its opening date or the number of simulators.
Sources: Israel Ministry of Defense press release (1 November 2026); Elbit Systems announcement (2 November 2026).
