The IDF received its first domestically produced Ro’em (Thunderous) wheeled self-propelled howitzer, Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post has confirmed.
There were no official announcements by the IDF or the manufacturer, Elbit Systems, but there was a low-key handover at Elbit’s production facility in Yokne’am last week, attended by senior officials of the IDF’s Artillery Corps, including Chief Artillery Officer Brig.-Gen. Ehud Bibi.
According to a report in Ynet, the new howitzer will now undergo an induction process in the IDF. Over the coming weeks, there will be live-fire drills, and the system will be fitted with IDF components. The first crew to receive the system this coming spring will also begin training, and additional systems will be delivered gradually.
Next generation howitzer
The Ro’em is a next-generation 155-mm. self-propelled howitzer designed to replace the aging M109 Doher fleet that has served the IDF for decades.
Its introduction marks a decisive shift by the military toward automation, digital integration, and rapid-response fire support following the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, as well as in Gaza and Lebanon, where artillery were heavily used.
The Ro’em is built around a 155-mm./52-caliber gun mounted on a heavy wheeled chassis, like an Oshkosh 10×10 platform. Unlike the tracked M109, the Ro’em can move rapidly between firing positions, an essential capability in an era where drones, counter-battery radars, and precision munitions make stationary artillery vulnerable targets.
This choice of a wheeled vehicle reflects a global trend toward systems that offer faster road mobility, lower maintenance demands, and quicker deployment across long distances.
The system features a fully automated turret, capable of handling ammunition selection, loading, gun laying, and firing without manual intervention. This automation reduces the crew to just three soldiers, a dramatic improvement over the seven-person crew required for the M109. Elbit Systems says that the platform is capable of automatically selecting and loading the required projectile, propellant, and fuze, and laying the gun to optimally engage targets.
The Ro’em’s firepower represents a significant leap over the older Doher. Its 52-caliber barrel allows it to achieve ranges exceeding 40 kilometers with standard extended-range ammunition.
The system’s automated loading mechanism supports a high rate of fire and enables rapid transitions between targets, at least eight 155-mm. rounds per minute compared to the Doher’s two rounds per minute, a critical advantage in modern battlefields.
The Ro’em is designed to operate as part of a fully networked battlefield, receiving fire missions directly from command-and-control systems and coordinating with sensors, drones, and other artillery units.
This connectivity shortens the sensor-to-shooter cycle and allows the IDF to deliver precise, timely fire support with minimal delay. The system’s automation also enables extremely fast shoot-and-scoot tactics, reducing exposure to enemy counter-battery fire.
The IDF has been looking to replace the aging M109 for over a decade. According to the report by Ynet, the development of the Ro’em took around six years to complete.
The Ro’em carries strategic significance for the IDF. Its reduced crew size helps address manpower challenges such as injuries, and its high degree of automation allows for more flexible staffing, including the formation of all-female crews.
The system’s mobility and digital connectivity also line up with Israel’s broader shift toward multi-domain operations, where artillery retains key platforms that operate alongside air and ground assets.