Germany Joins European Buyers of Elbit’s PULS Rocket Launcher System
The German defense ministry has chosen to fill the gap created by the MARS-II/MLRS units transferred to the Ukrainian armed forces with Elbit Systems’ Precision and Universal Launch System (PULS) instead of Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin’s Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS). The decision was formalized in a contract signed between the parties on February 6. This makes Germany the fourth European customer for these systems, followed by Denmark, the Netherlands, and Spain. Other system users include Israel, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Rwanda.
The Israeli manufacturer stated in a press release that the deal’s value was $57 million without providing details such as the number of launchers included or the delivery schedule. However, according to information the German parliament’s budget committee shared on December 18, 2024, the procurement covers five PULS MRLS.
Under the contract, Elbit Systems, in collaboration with KNDS Deutschland, will deliver rocket artillery systems, including the development of associated adaptations and the integration of German C4I equipment (such as command and weapons control systems). These rocket launcher systems will undergo test procedures performed by the German procurement agency BAAINBw and associated technical test centers to achieve approval for in-service use in the German Armed Forces. The systems will also be supported through in-service support.
Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager of Elbit System Land, stated,
“We are proud to have been selected, together with KNDS Deutschland, to deliver the Rocket Launcher Artillery System solution, which aims to set the foundation for the Bundeswehr’s Future Long-Range Indirect Fire System. This acquisition paves the way for future orders of the Euro-PULS configuration and highlights the strength of our European collaboration with KNDS Deutschland, reflecting our joint-commitment to delivering advanced, operationally proven, flexible, and cost-effective solutions that enhance the operational capabilities of our customers.”
Expanding on this, KNDS Deutschland CEO Ralf Ketzel emphasized that this cooperation marks a milestone in developing a European Indirect Fire System for rockets, stating:
“Elbit’s technology meets the European systems know-how of KNDS. As the OEM for European land systems such as the Leopard 2 and PzH 2000, KNDS will ensure that the PULS Systems becomes the EuroPULS. The common joint venture, EuroPULS, is the proper approach to cooperate on eyelevel as partner.”
EuroPULS is a next-generation multi-barrel rocket launcher system (MLRS) developed by Israel-based Elbit Systems and German-French defense technology company KNDS. The most important difference from the basic PULS system is its ability to integrate various munitions produced by European countries.
The system has a total capacity of 36 rockets housed in two sealed capsules, each containing 18 rockets. With a rate of fire of approximately 12 rockets per minute, the system can carry 122mm Accular rockets with a range of up to 35km, 160mm Accular rockets with a range of up to 40km, 306mm EXTRA rockets with a range of 150km and 370mm Predator Hawk rockets with a range of 300km. Additionally, plans are in place to integrate the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile with a range of up to 250km and the MBDA Joint Fire Support Missile, capable of reaching up to ~499km.