The Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems has received a contract valued at around $235 million for the delivery of PULS rocket artillery systems and EXTRA-MR precision missiles to a European state. The procurement is being conducted under a government-to-government agreement between Israel and the yet unnamed client country. In addition to the missiles and launchers, the contract includes additional platforms as well as logistical support services. The implementation is planned over a period of three years.
Contract with European Customer
A European state, not yet named, is strengthening its rocket artillery with systems from the Israeli manufacturer Elbit Systems. As the company reported, a contract valued at around $235 million has been signed. The subject are the Precise & Universal Launching System (PULS) as well as guided missiles of the EXTRA-MR (Medium Range) type. The procurement takes place under a government-to-government (G-to-G) agreement between the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the defense ministry of the customer country. Elbit Systems is to deliver the agreed services within three years.
The contract includes, in addition to the PULS launch devices and EXTRA-MR missiles, additional platforms for rocket artillery as well as integrated logistical support.
EXTRA-MR for Precision Strikes up to 80 Kilometers
A key component of the procurement package is the EXTRA-MR, a guided artillery rocket designed for engaging targets at medium ranges.
According to Elbit Systems, the EXTRA-MR can reach targets at distances of up to 80 kilometers. The manufacturer describes it as a supersonic precision missile intended especially for the destruction of high-value military targets. With this range, rocket artillery can also strike targets well behind the immediate front line. These can include, for example, command and communications facilities, logistics hubs, or other militarily significant facilities.
The precision-guided munitions are intended to enable targeted engagement without having to saturate large areas with unguided rockets.
PULS as a Universal Launch Platform
The EXTRA-MR is fired using the PULS rocket artillery system. Its peculiarity lies in the ability to deploy different types of ammunition with varying ranges and mission profiles from a common launch platform. The system uses interchangeable launch containers which can be loaded with different airframes depending on the mission. This allows arming to be adapted to the respective operational requirements without having to maintain a dedicated launcher for every type of munition.
The launch devices can also be integrated into existing command, control, communications and intelligence (C4I) systems. This allows target information from different reconnaissance sources to be incorporated and used for the rocket artillery’s fires. This networking capability is particularly important for integrating long-range precision weapons into a joint force-wide reconnaissance and effects network.
PULS Gains More Customers in Europe
The contract awarded now is another success for Elbit Systems in the European rocket artillery market. Several European armed forces have chosen PULS in recent years or have initiated corresponding procurement programs, including Germany. The system ultimately represents an approach whereby different ranges and types of munitions can be covered via a common launch platform. In particular, the ability to incrementally add further airframes to rocket artillery could be of interest to forces seeking to expand their capability to engage targets in depth.
“This contract further strengthens Elbit Systems’ position as a globally leading provider of rocket artillery systems and reflects the growing international demand for our advanced rocket and launch solutions,” said Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems. “The PULS systems and precision missile solutions are among the leading systems in their category and have been selected by a growing number of customers worldwide, including European states and NATO members.” Elbit Systems will continue to provide advanced capabilities to meet the changing defense requirements of its customers.
Author: Arie Egozi, Israel Correspondent
