The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has officially received its first domestically developed wheeled self-propelled howitzer, the SIGMA 155, also known as Ro’em in Hebrew. This development marks a significant step in the IDF’s strategy to replace its aging fleet of M109 howitzers, which were originally sourced from the United States.
In the coming weeks, the SIGMA 155 will undergo initial test firings at the Tze’elim training range as part of its induction program, according to reports from Israeli news outlet Ynet. The first battalion tasked with utilizing this innovative artillery system, belonging to the IDF Artillery Corps’ 282nd Brigade, is anticipated to be operational by this fall.
The IDF plans to fully integrate the SIGMA 155 across all its artillery battalions by the end of the decade, with the first fully operational formation expected within the next three years. In this transition, many of the existing M109 howitzers, especially newer variants, will be reassigned to reserve units. Some may be repurposed for spare parts, used as live-fire targets, or kept available for emergency scenarios. This strategic reassessment comes in light of operational lessons learned from the recent conflict in Gaza, particularly following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2024, which influenced the decision to retain some M109 systems rather than scrap them entirely.
The SIGMA 155, developed by Elbit Systems since 2019, is aimed at replacing hundreds of the outdated M109 tracked artillery systems. Designed with Israeli operational needs in mind, the new system offers marked enhancements in range, mobility, and overall firepower. Its 155mm/52-caliber configuration can effectively engage targets up to 40 kilometers (approximately 25 miles) away.
With a key highlight being its enhanced mobility thanks to a wheeled chassis, the SIGMA 155 boasts a firing rate of up to eight rounds per minute and can swiftly transition from travel to firing mode in just 60 seconds. Moreover, the system is capable of performing coordinated, time-sensitive strikes alongside other SIGMA 155 units, allowing for the simultaneous firing of multiple shells along varying trajectories to create effective salvo impacts. An automatic shell-loading system reduces the crew size necessary to operate the howitzer from seven to just three, streamlining operations further.
