The ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon has seen the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) extensively employing the Precision Guided Rocket (PULS) artillery system. Developed by Elbit Systems’ land systems department, this formidable weapon has proven its effectiveness in targeting and destroying a multitude of enemy assets on both fronts. The PULS rocket artillery system, formerly known as Lynx MRL, stands as a pivotal component in the arsenal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and various other nations. Under the name of “Lahav”, developed and manufactured by ELBIT Systems (formerly Israel Military Industries), offers a wide array of capabilities tailored to diverse operational requirements. Its adaptability lies in its ability to carry various rockets in two sealed pod containers: 40 122mm Grad rockets, 26 160mm LAR-160 or ACCULAR rockets, eight 306mm EXTRA rockets, two 330mm Delilah missiles, or four 370mm Predator Hawk tactical ballistic missiles.
The PULS multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) offers an economically efficient solution for accurately launching a range of advanced rockets and missiles, ensuring precise targeting capabilities with optimal responsiveness. Since the acquisition of Israel Military Industries by Elbit Systems in 2018, the PULS has undergone significant upgrades and modernization, enhancing its precision and effectiveness on the battlefield. With its versatility and precision, the PULS plays a significant role in ongoing conflict scenarios, notably in Gaza and Lebanon, where its very accurate rockets have proven instrumental in neutralizing numerous targets across the fronts. Carried by an Oshkosh Defense Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), this launcher boasts the capability to engage targets at ranges of up to 300km, offering a formidable strategic advantage to the IDF in combat situations.
Elbit Systems Land has decades of experience in the design, development, and manufacture of a wide range of advanced, accurate, and fast-response artillery rocket and missile weapon systems. Elbit Systems has further expanded the PULS system’s capabilities, unveiling the Light PULS, a lightweight airborne version designed to cater to the operational demands of Special Forces in remote, high-risk areas. Transportable by aircraft like the C-130, this adaptation extends artillery support beyond traditional ranges, addressing the evolving needs of modern warfare scenarios.
KMW and Elbit have established the concept “Euro-PULS” for the next-generation European Long Range Rocket Artillery as the successor system for the MLRS. In January 2023 Denmark announced it is negotiating the acquisition of 8 PULS systems for the Royal Danish Army. In March 2023, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced that it would acquire 20 PULS systems for the Royal Netherlands Army with the first systems to be delivered in the same year. The contract worth 305 million dollars was signed on May 18. The Defense Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand is partnering with Elbit Systems to develop a Thai version of the PULS called D-11A. On 10 October 2023, the government of Spain decided to order the locally manufactured version of the PULS systems for the SILAM programme.
