The Israel Defence Force (IDF) has deployed its Ro’em self-propelled howitzer into combat for the first time. With a successful mission under its belt, the gun is expected to replace the M109s in IDF service.
By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence, published on April 23, 2026.
The IDF has announced its first operational use of the Ro’em (Thunderer) self-propelled howitzer. Soldiers from the 282nd Fire Brigade in the Artillery Corps used the system to strike Hezbollah anti-tank positions in Lebanon.
According to an April 16 article published by the IDF, the engagement was a success. Additionally, it “ even served as a basis for developing new artillery fire response.” The system is manufactured by Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT). It is based on a 10×10 Oshkosh truck and carries a 155 mm L52 gun in an automated turret.
Lt. Col. B., head of the ‘Ro’em’ branch in the IDF, explained that the main benefits of the gun were its range and rate of fire. With a maximum reach of 40 km, the Ro’em can – theoretically – fire from inside Israel and reach the limit of IDF operations in Lebanon. The rate of fire and time into action also mean it is able to respond within minutes to a call for fire.
“Ultimately, we are working to integrate the new capabilities into all fire units in the army,” Lt. Col. B said. For context, the IDF is thought to have around 240 M109A5s in service across its reserve and regular formations. The first howitzers were only delivered in June 2025. They entered service the following December. This indicates that there will be a significant ramp up of Ro’em production in the coming years.
Ro’em vs M109
M109A5 in service with the 215th Fire Brigade fires towards the Gaza Strip during Operation Guardian of the Walls. Credit: IDF
There are three elements to the design that separate it from the M109s that the IDF has relied on:
Barrel length: The M109A5 has a barrel length of 39 calibres, which means it is 39 times the bore diameter of 155 mm. The Ro’em is much longer at 52 calibres, resulting in a barrel length of eight metres to the M109’s six. A longer barrel gives the propellant gases more time to act on the projectile, increasing the range. Where the M109A5 has a maximum range of 30 km, the Ro’em can reach 40 km.
Automation: Roem has an automated turret which handles the ammunition, loading and laying of the gun. As a result, the crew can be reduced to three and housed in an armoured cab at the front of the vehicle. An M109A5 by contrast would require a crew of eight, with most procedures conducted manually. This increases the personnel burden as well as the time taken to fire a mission. The Ro’em can get its first rounds away within 60 seconds, an M109 can too, but this increases if gun laying needs to be adjusted.
Mobility: The M109 is tracked, which gives it a lower ground pressure than an equivalent wheeled vehicle. However, it also increases the maintenance complexity. At the same time, its road mobility is somewhat limited. This is a problem for the IDF which is often drawn into urban areas. Ro’em uses a wheeled platform, allowing it to move faster on roads, without relying on heavy equipment transports like the M109. At the same time, it should be able to maintain enough off-road mobility to accompany armoured formations.
Calibre comment: Modernising the IDF
The IDF has undergone fairly consistent modernisation since its inception. More recently there is a definitive focus on armoured vehicles. There are large orders for the Merkava tank, Namer APC, Eitan wheeled IFVs, and JLTVs. Therefore, the introduction of the Ro’em will lead to most of the Force carrying modern systems, rather than vehicles designed and built in the Cold War.
The wholesale hardware modernisation is accompanied by a focus on multi-domain integration. Units like the Ghost Battalion are experimenting with different forms of combined-arms operations, including direct integration of fixed wing air assets and cyber capabilities. At the level of armoured formations there are systems like Fireweaver from Rafael. These are designed to improve weapon to target matching. Using AI and the IDF’s C2 system, Fire Weaver maintains awareness of IDF units and their capabilities. When a target is detected, it can automatically suggest the best-placed weapon to engage that threat. For instance, it might be the case that an infantry section spots a target, but a Merkava is the best-placed weapon system to engage it. Fireweaver would automatically suggest that option to the commander who can send the target to the Merkava’s battle management system.
That is at least the theory behind Fireweaver. What is clear from the Gaza war and the IDF’s operations in Lebanon, however, is that endurance is key. While various efforts throughout the western world focus on speed in the hopes of shortening a conflict by making faster decisions, it is apparent that a war can last as long as an enemy is able and willing to fight. And the things that shape those factors are more complex than how quickly they can be killed.
Further reading
If you would like to read more on the IDF’s modernisation and recent operations, check out the links below:
The lead image shows a Roem howitzer conducting a fire mission against targets in Lebanon. Credit: IDF.