Israel unveils groundbreaking artillery technology
An Israeli Ro’em self-propelled artillery system, whose name means “thunder” in Hebrew, is seen in action. Ehud Bibi, chief artillery officer of the IDF, said the system marks “a new era” of faster and more accurate fire on the battlefield. (IDF video.)
JERUSALEM: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has introduced a new self-propelled howitzer to combat Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon as a defensive weapon against Hezbollah attacks.
Ro’em, the Hebrew word for thunder, could play an important role if the fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah fails. A second round of talks between the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel, aimed at disarming Hezbollah, is scheduled for Thursday in Washington DC. The ceasefire came into effect on Thursday.
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Israel’s Ro’em self-propelled artillery system is seen in an undated image and is part of the IDF’s next-generation artillery capabilities. (IDF)
According to the IDF statement, during the activity, troops carried out accurate artillery fire on several Hezbollah anti-tank and surface-to-surface missile launch positions, from which attacks had been launched against IDF forces. The shooting was effective, achieving operational results and introducing new artillery capabilities, reducing the threat to IDF forces and Israeli civilians.
The IDF said the launches were purely defensive attacks against Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists during the ceasefire. The howitzer can shoot about 40 kilometers (about 25 miles). A team of three IDF soldiers serves the Ru’em.
Elbit Systems stated on its website that it is “capable of automatic loading and laying of the gun system, fast arming and disarming times and a high rate of fire. It provides a protected cabin for a crew of three.” Adding, “Depending on the mission, SIGMA is able to automatically select and load the required projectile, propellant and fuze and position the gun to optimally engage targets.” The Ro’em, also known as SIGMA, is produced by the South Carolina-based subsidiary of Elbit Systems of America.
Israel’s Ro’em self-propelled artillery system is seen in an undated image and is part of the IDF’s next-generation artillery capabilities. (IDF)
Hezbollah violated a previous US-brokered ceasefire from November 2024 when it launched missiles into Israel on March 2 in response to the joint war between Israel and Iran against the Iranian regime. The Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces have failed to meet the 2025 deadline to disarm Hezbollah.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 also required Hezbollah to be disarmed after the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon.
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The statement continued that “The ‘Ro’em’ is a new howitzer recently introduced into IDF service that brings advanced and innovative capabilities to the battlefield. It significantly increases the rate of fire, enables deployment at longer ranges compared to existing systems, and provides improved mobility and maneuverability in the field.”
Hezbollah attacks on Israel since March 2 resulted in the deaths of 2 civilians and 15 Israeli soldiers. Reuters reported that Hezbollah did not reveal the number of casualties.
Hezbollah worked to build facilities under private residential buildings and houses. (Benoît Durand / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
Lebanese authorities report that nearly 2,300 people have been killed in Lebanon since March 2. These figures do not distinguish between Hezbollah terrorists and civilians.
At a Memorial Day event for the country’s fallen troops, Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to ensure that Israelis in the north, who have faced massive airstrikes from Hezbollah, will be safe.
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“Even as we gather here to honor our fallen, after weeks of determined operations by IDF forces in southern Lebanon, our commitment to the people of the north remains clear and unequivocal, to provide them with security,” Katz said. He noted that “if the Lebanese government continues to fail to meet its obligations, the IDF will do so through continued military activities.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
