PULS (multiple rocket launcher)
Multiple rocket launcher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PULS ("Precise & Universal Launching System", formerly known as Lynx MRL) is a multiple rocket launcher developed and manufactured by ELBIT Systems (formerly Israel Military Industries) and used by Israel Defense Forces and other countries.[1]
Tactical ballistic missile launcher
Israel| PULS | |
|---|---|
PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System) | |
| Type | Multiple rocket launcher Tactical ballistic missile launcher |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| Wars | Second Nagorno-Karabakh War Gaza war |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Israel Military Industries |
| Manufacturer | Israel Military Industries (now Elbit Systems) |
| Specifications | |
| Caliber | 122 mm 160 mm 306 mm 330 mm 370 mm |
| Maximum firing range | 300 km |
Guidance system | GPS and INS |
History
Israel Military Industries introduced the Lynx in 2013.[1][2]
After the acquisition of Israel Military Industries by Elbit Systems in 2018, an upgraded and modernized version of the Lynx was developed, called the PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System).[3] The Defense Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand is partnering with Elbit Systems to develop a Thai version of the PULS called D-11A.[4]
The EURO-PULS is being developed in cooperation between the German KNDS and ELBIT targeting the European market by integration of additional missile types. As part of the project, the US made GMLRS and other HIMARS missiles would have been integrated with the EURO-PULS launchers, however, the management of Lockheed Martin, the US missile manufacturer, refused to do so.[5]
In January 2023, Denmark announced it is negotiating the acquisition of 8 PULS systems for the Royal Danish Army.[6]
In March 2023, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced that it would acquire 20 PULS systems for the Royal Netherlands Army with the first systems to be delivered in the same year.[7][8] The contract worth 305 million dollars was signed on May 18.[9]
On 10 October 2023, the government of Spain decided to order the locally manufactured version of the PULS systems for SILAM programme (es:SILAM).[10] In September 2025 the Spanish government cancelled the deal after placing an embargo on any arms purchases or sales involving Israel over the war in Gaza.[11]
Israel introduced the PULS into IDF service in 2020 under the name Lahav, which is a PULS rocket module mounted on a HEMTT truck chassis. It was first used operationally in February 2024 during the Gaza war.[12]
In April 2026 Elbit Systems announced an agreement worth about $750 million to sell PULS launchers and munitions to Greece.[13] The deal was reportedly for 36 launchers.[14]
India
In July 2025, India-based private company NIBE Limited signed a Technology Collaboration Agreement with Elbit Systems through which the former will manufacture Advanced Universal Rocket Launcher 'Surya' in India. The weapon system will have a maximum range of 300 km. The technology transfer will cater to both India's domestic market as well as foreign customers.[15]
On 2 January 2026, it was widely reported that the Indian Army has ordered the Suryastra multi calibre rocket launcher system from NIBE Limited under its emergency procurement powers at a cost of ₹292.69 crore (US$35 million). The contract includes the supply of Ground Equipment, Accessories, ESP and Ammunition for Universal Rocket Launcher System. The ammunition included will have a maximum range of 150 km and 300 km with a CEP of less than 5 metres. It can also launch loitering munition with a 100 km range. The order will be executed and delivered in tranches within a span of 12 months.[16][17][18]
As of March 2026, the system is undergoing live-fire trials before subsequent orders.[19]
Design
It can be configured to carry a variety of rockets in two sealed pod containers: 36 (2 pods × 18 rockets each) 122mm Grad rockets; or 26 (2×13) 160mm LAR-160 or ACCULAR rockets; or eight (2×4) 306mm EXTRA rockets; two (2×1) 330mm Delilah missiles or four (2×2) 370mm Predator Hawk tactical ballistic missiles.[1]
The PULS is also able to carry and launch SkyStriker loitering munitions, which is a unique feature among MLRS systems. The SkyStriker drones have a range over 100 km and 6 drones are packed into a single container according to a video published by Elbit Systems. The drone can engage moving targets unlike the other missiles of the PULS system, but it can also return and land after doing reconnaissance and can be relaunched again.[20][21]
Missile options
| Rocket / missile | Diameter | Weight | Max. quantity | Guidance | Max. range | Accuracy CEP |
Warhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRAD | 122 mm | 66 kg | 18 pcs / pod
36 pcs / vehicle |
none | 40 km | 500 m | 20 kg |
| LAR160 | 160 mm | 110 kg | 13 pcs / pod
26 pcs / vehicle |
none | 45 km | n.a. | 46 kg |
| Accular 122 | 122 mm | 72 kg | 18 pcs / pod
36 pcs / vehicle |
GPS/INS | 35 km | 10 m | 20 kg |
| Accular 160 | 160 mm | n.a. | 13 pcs / pod
26 pcs / vehicle |
GPS/INS | 40 km | 10 m | 35 kg |
| SkyStriker UAV | n.a. | n.a. | 6 pcs / pod
12 pcs / vehicle |
CCD/IR and GPS/INS | 100+ km | 1 m | 5–10 kg |
| EXTRA | 306 mm | 570 kg | 4 pcs / pod
8 pcs / vehicle |
GPS/INS | 150 km | 10 m | 120 kg |
| Delilah (cruise missile) | 330 mm | 187 kg | 2 pcs / pod
4 pcs / vehicle |
CCD/IR and GPS/INS | 250 km | 1 m | 30 kg |
| Predator Hawk | 370 mm | 800 kg | 2 pcs / pod
4 pcs / vehicle |
GPS/INS | 300 km | 10 m | 140 kg[24] |
Practice missiles with a range between 7–15 km are also available for the PULS system.[25]
Operators
Current operators
Israel- Israeli Ground Forces – Under the name "Lahav" [he], mounted on a HEMTT chassis (picture), in service since 2020.
Azerbaijan- Azerbaijani Land Forces – 6 Lynx and 50 EXTRA missiles were acquired and then used in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.[26]
Denmark- Royal Danish Army – 8 PULS delivered (contract signed on 2 March 2023) for US$133 million. The PULS is based on a Tatra T815 6×6.[27] All the launchers and missiles were handed over by the end first quarter of 2024.[28] In November 2024, Danish media reported that an officer serving in the Danish army claimed that rocket systems did not have military GPS and were therefore vulnerable to electronic countermeasures. This caused a political debate in Denmark. ELBIT Systems denied the claim.[29][30]
Netherlands- Royal Netherlands Army – 20 PULS on order on Scania Gryphus chassis with armoured cabins.[31] Contract worth US$305 million was signed on 18 May 2023, four vehicles to be delivered in 2023.[32]
- The first TATRA truck based PULS launcher was delivered in February 2024. The rest will be built locally on armoured Scania Gryphus 8×8 trucks in 2025 and 2026.[33]
Kazakhstan- Kazakh Ground Forces – 18 Lynx and 50 EXTRA rockets ordered in 2007, delivered in 2008–09.[34] The Naiza is a derivative of the Lynx developed in collaboration, based on the KamAZ-6350 8×8 chassis.[35]
Rwanda- Rwandan Army – 5 Lynx ordered in 2007, in service since 2008.[34]
Serbia- Serbian Army – Elbit Systems announced in 2024 that it was awarded a contract worth approximately $335 million to supply PULS multiple rocket launchers to the Serbian Army.[36] The contract will be performed over a period of 3.5 years.[37] The first PULS launcher was shown on military parade in 2025.[38]
Unknown customers
- Elbit Systems announced on 18 July 2023 that it was awarded a $150 million contract to supply PULS rocket launchers and a package of precision-guided long-range rockets to an international customer. The contract will be performed over a period of three years.[39][32]
- Elbit Systems announced on 6 August 2024 that it was awarded a contract worth approximately $270 million to supply rocket artillery to an international customer. The contract will be performed over a period of 4 years.[40]
Future operators
Greece- Hellenic Army – The Hellenic Army will acquire 36 systems of the European version, EURO PULS MLRS,[41] in a deal of €650 ($750) million, signed in April 2026, with the construction of some of the components in Greece.[42][43] The plan includes the acquisition of Accular, EXTRA, and primarily Predator Hawk rockets.[44][45] The deal will also include SkyStriker UAV/loitering munitions, according to media reports from January 2025.[41][46] The launchers will most-likely be vehicle-mounted on Iveco trucks, similar to the ones Germany used for the system.[47] It will also integrate the RM-70 rockets already in service with the Hellenic Army. The delivery will make Greece the largest foreign operator of the system.
Germany
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- German Army – The German government decided to buy five PULS systems in collaboration with the Netherlands to replace the five MARS II (M270 MLRS) sent to Ukraine.[48] The purchase was approved by the parliament in December 2024.[49] It is likely to be installed on an armoured Iveco Trakker FSA 8×8 (GTF ZLK 15t).
India- Indian Army – Suryastra multi calibre rocket launcher system was ordered in January 2026 at a cost of ₹292.69 crore (US$35 million) from NIBE Limited. Ammunition include rockets with a maximum range of 150 km and 300 km and loitering munitions with 100 km range. To be manufactured in India under technology transfer.[17][50]
Peru- Peruvian army - Selected in July 2025 to modernize Peruvian army's artilley capabilities in a deal that includes technology transfer and local production.[51]
Potential operators
Austria- According to the 2032+ reconstruction plan, Austria is planning to procure modern rocket artillery for the Austrian Armed Forces. Due to the political tensions with the USA in Europe, it is assumed that no US system will be purchased.[52]
Bulgaria- The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence has decided to forgo the M142 HIMARS due to its increased price and heavy demand and instead proceed with the PULS as the replacement for the OTR-21 Tochka.[53]
Philippines- Philippine Army – Actively competing against the American HIMARS[54] and South Korean K239 Chunmoo[55] systems for the MLRS Acquisition Project.[56][57]
Thailand- Royal Thai Army – The RTA is testing a localized version of the PULS.[58]
Cancelled
See also
- ACCULAR – (Israel)
Vehicle of similar era & design
- TOS-1 – (Soviet Union, Russia)
- 9A52-4 Tornado – (Russia)
- M270 MLRS – (United States)
- M142 HIMARS – (United States)
- K239 Chunmoo – (South Korea)
- Thunderbolt-2000 – (Taiwan)
- LRSVM Morava – (Serbia)
- T-122 Sakarya – (Turkey)
- Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher – (India)
- Astros II – (Brazil)
- Fajr-5 – (Iran)
- A-100 – (China)
- PHL-03 – (China)
External links
- Systems Elbit Systems / PULS™'s channel on YouTube
- Systems Elbit Systems / PULS's channel on YouTube
- Systems Elevating Denmark's defense capability's channel on YouTube
- PULS Multiple Rocket Launcher formal page, Elbit Systems.
- Elbit Systems' PULS Rocket Artillery System Selected by the Hellenic Armed Forces, Elbit Systems
- Accelerating Operations in Europe, Elbit Systems
- Germany Selects PULS Rocket Launcher Artillery System for its Armed Forces, Elbit Systems