Israel signs 15-year Elbit Systems deal for advanced artillery training center supporting SIGMA and PULS platforms

Israel’s Defense Ministry has signed a 15-year agreement with Elbit Systems to establish an advanced training facility for IDF Artillery Corps commanders and soldiers, supporting the military’s next-generation SIGMA self-propelled howitzer and PULS rocket-launcher systems.

The ministry said the agreement is worth more than $190 million, or about 600 million shekels, and was signed through its Defense Procurement Directorate in cooperation with the IDF Ground Forces.

The facility will include advanced classrooms, driving and mission simulators, physical training infrastructure and long-term instruction, maintenance and logistical support.

The ministry said the project is intended to shorten qualification and training times, improve readiness and reduce wear and resource use on operational artillery platforms as SIGMA and PULS enter fuller service.

Zeev Landau, head of the Defense Procurement Directorate, said the agreement reflected a strategy of improving operational readiness, strengthening Israel’s defense industry and providing long-term technological and logistical support to ground forces.

Elbit Systems separately said Monday that its portion of the contract is valued at about $170 million and that the center will also incorporate automation, AI-based functions and advanced driver-training technologies.