SIGMA 155mm Roem Howitzer.
Israel Army Inducts Elbit Systems SIGMA 155mm Roem Artillery: Jerusalem: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Artillery Corps has inducted its new-generation SIGMA 155 self-propelled howitzer, known as “Ro’em” (Thunderous), marking a significant transformation in Israel’s artillery warfare capabilities.
Developed and manufactured by Elbit Systems, the SIGMA 155 Ro’em is among the most advanced artillery platforms currently in operational service worldwide. The system is set to gradually replace the long-serving US-made M-109 “Doher” howitzers, which have been the backbone of the IDF’s artillery units for decades.
Senior officers described the induction as more than a routine equipment upgrade, noting that the Ro’em reflects a fundamental doctrinal shift in how the Artillery Corps delivers both massed and precision fire deep into enemy territory. The new platform relies heavily on automation and digital integration, dramatically shortening the time between target identification and engagement.
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SIGMA 155mm Roem Howitzer in action.
At the official handover ceremony held at Elbit Systems’ production facility, Chief Artillery Officer Brig Gen Ehud Bibi said the Ro’em represents a historic leap in operational capability. One of its most notable advances is a fully automated loading system that reduces the combat crew from seven soldiers to just three, eliminating the need for a physical loader.
Beyond improving efficiency, the automation significantly lowers physical demands, enabling broader integration of women combatants into frontline artillery roles. Heavy manual handling of shells weighing tens of kilograms has been replaced by mechanised and computer-controlled systems.
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Elbit Systems’ SIGMA 155mm Roem Artillery
In operational terms, the Ro’em delivers a substantial increase in performance. Its firing range is roughly double that of the M-109, while its rate of fire—up to eight rounds per minute—allows a single battery to generate firepower that previously required an entire battalion. The howitzer is mounted on a wheeled platform rather than tracked, providing faster road mobility and allowing it to redeploy independently without transporters.
The system is also equipped with an advanced fire-control suite that connects in real time with IDF intelligence, surveillance and strike networks, making it a fully integrated component of the digital battlefield. This connectivity enables rapid, coordinated strikes alongside air and ground forces.
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With the first Ro’em units now delivered to the Tze’elim base in southern Israel, the Artillery Corps has begun the operational integration phase. While the older Doher howitzers will remain in use with reserve formations, regular units are expected to centre their firepower around the new system.
Additional features, such as rapid ammunition replenishment through cassette-based loading and a reduced logistical footprint, are expected to reshape future combat operations and give commanders greater operational flexibility.
The induction of the SIGMA 155 Ro’em underscores the IDF’s broader effort to transform the Artillery Corps into a data-driven, highly automated force tailored to the demands of 21st-century warfare.
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