The Ro’em’s automation and digital integration set it apart from other leading global systems.
By Hezy Laing
The Israel Defense Forces are ushering in a new era of battlefield firepower with the introduction of the Ro’em, also known as SIGMA, a fully automatic 155mm self‑propelled howitzer that Israeli defense officials describe as the most advanced artillery system in the world.
Developed by Elbit Systems, the Ro’em replaces the IDF’s aging M109 Doher fleet and marks the most significant upgrade to Israel’s ground‑fire capabilities in decades.
For nearly half a century, the IDF relied on the American‑designed M109, which required a large crew, manual loading, and slow setup times.
While the Doher served reliably through multiple conflicts, its limitations became increasingly apparent in an era defined by rapid maneuver warfare and precision targeting.
The Ro’em was designed to solve those problems entirely.
It is the first artillery system of its kind to automate the entire firing cycle—from loading to aiming to shooting—reducing the crew to as few as two soldiers and dramatically increasing both accuracy and survivability.
The Ro’em’s automation and digital integration set it apart from other leading global systems.
Germany’s PzH‑2000 is renowned for its precision and rate of fire, but it is heavy, expensive, and manpower‑intensive.
South Korea’s K9 Thunder is widely exported and highly reliable, yet it still relies on semi‑automatic loading.
France’s CAESAR offers excellent mobility but lacks the Ro’em’s full automation and deep integration with a national command‑and‑control network.
By contrast, the Ro’em combines the mobility of a wheeled platform with the sophistication of a fully robotic firing system, enabling rapid “shoot‑and‑scoot” operations that reduce exposure to counter‑battery fire.
Although Israel has not released an official price, defense analysts estimate the Ro’em’s cost to fall in the mid‑range of Western artillery systems, likely between seven and ten million dollars per unit.
This places it well below the PzH‑2000 while offering capabilities that surpass it in automation and operational tempo.
What makes the Ro’em a genuine game changer is not just its technology but its impact on how the IDF fights.
Faster deployment, higher precision, reduced manpower requirements, and seamless digital connectivity allow Israeli forces to deliver concentrated firepower in seconds rather than minutes.
In a region where speed and accuracy often determine the outcome of engagements, the Ro’em gives Israel a decisive new advantage—one that redefines the future of artillery warfare.
