Tel Aviv: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have carried out the first operational firing of the “Ro’em,” the IDF’s first fully automatic howitzer, marking a true revolution in the way artillery is operated.
According to the IDF, this milestone represents a significant stage in the modernisation process of the Artillery Corps and Israel’s Ground Forces, following years of development and integration.
The “Ro’em,” known internationally as the SIGMA, is a new, advanced self-propelled automatic howitzer developed and produced by Elbit Systems.
The “Ro’em” introduces a major enhancement to the Corps’ fire capabilities – featuring a high rate of fire of 6 to 8 rounds per minute, including MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact) capability, enabling several shells to be fired along different trajectories and hit the target simultaneously.
The system provides Shoot & Scoot capability and exceptionally rapid response times, allowing firing within less than a minute and swift closure of the sensor to shooter cycle.
With an extended range of up to 40 kilometres, a significantly reduced crew of only three operators (compared to eight in current systems), remote operation capability, and precise adaptation to the needs of manoeuvering forces – the “Ro’em” represents a generational leap for field artillery.
SIGMA is a 155mm/52 caliber self-propelled howitzer capable of automatic loading and laying of the gun system, rapid in-and-out action times and high rate of fire. It offers a protected cabin for a crew of three. Depending on the mission, SIGMA is capable of automatically selecting and loading the required projectile, propellant and fuze and laying the gun to optimally engage targets.
Ehud Bibi, Chief Artillery Officer, stated, “The Ro’em brings a new capability to the Artillery Corps and the IDF as a whole, reshaping how firepower is employed on the battlefield. This marks a historic milestone, introducing a new era of more precise, faster, and more flexible fire, enabling us to support troops on the ground more effectively.”
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, said, “Elbit Systems is proud to mark a significant milestone in one of the company’s flagship projects – the automatic ‘Ro’em’ howitzer. Hundreds of our employees achieved an important accomplishment today, not only as developers and manufacturers of the IDF’s first fully automatic howitzer, but also as partners of the IDF and the Ministry of Defence in addressing Israel’s security challenges and in defending our home. The Artillery Corps is in the midst of a groundbreaking technological revolution, and for us, as a leading Israeli defence company, we are proud to play a significant role in realising the commanders’ vision.”
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
