International interest in PULS has surged. Denmark purchased 8 launchers in 2023; the Netherlands ordered 20 systems in 2024; Spain signed a contract for €700 million worth of PULS launchers in 2025; and Azerbaijan has deployed PULS since 2021.
By Hezy Laing
Israel’s new PULS rocket artillery system, produced by Elbit Systems, has rapidly become one of the IDF’s most important tools for shaping the battlefield before ground forces advance.
The system, formally known as the Precise & Universal Launching System, entered operational service in 2024 and has been used extensively throughout 2025–2026 in Gaza and along the northern border.
Its core purpose is to deliver precise suppression fire—neutralizing enemy firing positions, command posts, tunnel openings, and anti‑tank squads—so infantry and armored units can maneuver with dramatically reduced risk.
PULS is built around a modular launcher capable of firing multiple rocket types.
It can launch 18 AccuLAR‑122 rockets with a range of 35 km, 10 AccuLAR‑160 rockets reaching 40 km, or 4 EXTRA rockets capable of striking targets at 150 km with 10‑meter accuracy.
The system can also fire 2 Predator Hawk missiles with a range of 300 km, giving Israel deep‑strike capability previously reserved for the air force.
Mounted on a 6×6 or 8×8 tactical truck, PULS can fire, relocate, and re‑arm in minutes, reducing exposure to counter‑battery fire.
During IDF operations in Gaza in 2025–2026, PULS batteries were used to suppress Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad firing positions before the Golani Brigade, Givati Brigade, and 162nd Armored Division entered dense urban zones.
Commanders reported that PULS strikes reduced enemy fire by 60–80% in the first hour of ground entry.
The system’s precision allowed the IDF to hit targets within meters of friendly forces, a capability previously dependent on close‑air support.
The system stands out not only for its battlefield impact but also for how it compares to other modern rocket‑artillery platforms.
PULS differs significantly from legacy systems such as the U.S. M142 HIMARS and the Russian BM‑30 Smerch.
HIMARS offers excellent precision but carries only six rockets, whereas PULS can carry 18, 10, 4, or 2 depending on the module, giving Israel far greater tactical flexibility.
Smerch fires heavy salvos but lacks precision guidance; its CEP often exceeds 100 meters, compared to PULS’s 10‑meter accuracy with EXTRA rockets.
PULS also reloads faster than HIMARS—typically under 10 minutes—and its modular launcher allows Israel to switch rocket types mid‑operation, something HIMARS cannot do.
This combination of precision, volume, and adaptability makes PULS one of the most versatile rocket‑artillery systems currently in service.
International interest in PULS has surged.
Denmark purchased 8 launchers in 2023; the Netherlands ordered 20 systems in 2024; Spain signed a contract for €700 million worth of PULS launchers in 2025; and Azerbaijan has deployed PULS since 2021.
In 2026, Germany selected PULS as its future rocket artillery platform, planning to acquire up to 48 launchers.
By combining long‑range precision, rapid mobility, and modular firepower, PULS has reshaped Israel’s ground‑combat doctrine.
It now serves as the IDF’s primary tool for pre‑assault shaping, ensuring that infantry and armor enter battle only after enemy threats have been systematically suppressed.
