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).[2] The Defense Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand is partnering with Elbit Systems to develop a Thai version of the PULS called D-11A.[3]
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.[4]
In January 2023, Denmark announced it is negotiating the acquisition of 8 PULS systems for the Royal Danish Army.[5]
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.[6][7] The contract worth 305 million dollars was signed on May 18.[8]
On 10 October 2023, the government of Spain decided to order the locally manufactured version of the PULS systems for SILAM programme (es:SILAM).[9]
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.[10]
Design
Danish PULS-launcher with EXTRA type missile pods
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.[11][12]
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.[17] All the launchers and missiles were handed over by the end first quarter of 2024.[18] 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.[19][20]
Royal Netherlands Army – 20 PULS on order on Scania Gryphus [nl] chassis with armoured cabins.[21] Contract worth US$305 million was signed on 18 May 2023, four vehicles to be delivered in 2023.[22]
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.[23]
Kazakh Ground Forces – 18 Lynx and 50 EXTRA rockets ordered in 2007, delivered in 2008–09.[24] The Naiza (a derivative of the Lynx) is a derivative of the Lynx developed in collaboration, based on the KamAZ-6350 8×8 chassis.[25]
Serbian Army – Elbit Systems announced on 18 November 2024 that it was awarded a contract worth approximately $335 million to supply PULS multiple rocket launchers and Hermes 900 unmanned aerial systems to an "unnamed European customer", which turned out to be Serbia.[26] The contract will be performed over a period of 3.5 years.[27]
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.[28] The purchase was approved by the parliament in December 2024.[29] It is likely to be installed on an armoured Iveco Trakker FSA 8×8 (GTF ZLK 15t).
Peruvian army - Selected in July 2025 to modernize Peruvian army's artilley capabilities in a deal that includes technology transfer and local production.[30]
Spanish Army – Sixteen PULS were ordered in October 2023 for the program SILAM MLRS [es] ("Sistema Lanzador de Alta Movilidad") for approximately €576.5 million. Elbit Systems is collaborating with a consortium made of Expal, Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, GMV and Iveco Defense Vehicle.[9][31] Details of the contract:
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.[32][22]
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.[33]
Hellenic Army – In the selection process. Competing with an upgrade of a number of Greece's rocket artillery M270 MLRS by Lockheed, as part of a modernization program of the rocket artillery forces.[34][35] If purchased, the Hellenic Army will acquire 36 or 40[36] of the European version, EURO PULS MLRS,[36] in a deal of €600-700 million, with the construction of some of the components in Greece, according to reports.[37][38][35] The plan includes the acquisition of Accular, EXTRA, and primarily Predator Hawk rockets. The inclusion of SkyStrikerUAV/loitering munitions, will be a request the Greek Army will make, according to media reports from January 2025.[36][39] If approved for purchase by the Parliament and KYSEA, the launchers will be vehicle-mounted on Iveco trucks, similar to the ones Germany used for the system.[40]
Norway intends to procure modern long-range capabilities for the land forces (missile artillery). According to reports, the intention is to introduce 16 Euro-PULS or HIMARS missile artillery systems, including an ammunition package and associated equipment.[41]
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.[47]
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.[48]
^Συνάντηση με Εκπροσώπους της Εταιρείας «LOCKHEED MARTIN» στο ΓΕΣ (Press release) (in Greek). Greek Ministry of National Defence. 2025-01-17. Archived from the original on 2025-01-19. Retrieved 2025-01-19. Στις 13 Ιανουαρίου 2025, πραγματοποιήθηκε συνάντηση επιτελών του ΓΕΣ, με εκπροσώπους της εταιρείας «LOCKHEED MARTIN», όπου πραγματοποιήθηκε ενημέρωση επί θεμάτων που αφορούν στην αναβάθμιση των εκτοξευτών MLRS M270. [On January 13, 2025, a meeting took place between the General Staff of the Army (GES) and representatives of the company "LOCKHEED MARTIN," during which updates were provided on matters concerning the upgrade of MLRS M270 launchers.]
^PULS: Πρώτο εξοπλιστικό πρόγραμμα για το 2025 η απόκτηση των Πολλαπλών Εκτοξευτών Πυραύλων [PULS: The first armament program for 2025 is the acquisition of Multiple Rocket Launchers]. OnAlert (in Greek). 2025-01-10. Archived from the original on 2025-01-17. Retrieved 2025-01-20. Η συμφωνία αναμένεται να περιλαμβάνει και την απόκτηση των Περιφερόμενων Πυρομαχικών drone-kamikaze Sky Striker με εμβέλεια που φτάνει τα 100 χιλιόμετρα, [...]. [The agreement is expected to include the acquisition of the Sky Striker loitering munition kamikaze drones, with a range of up to 100 kilometers, [...].]
^Ιωαννίδης, Σταύρος (2025-01-02). Γιατί η Ελλάδα αναβαθμίζει το πυραυλικό πυροβολικό – Τι δυνατότητες αποκτά ο στρατός; [Why is Greece upgrading its missile artillery – What capabilities is the army gaining?] (in Greek). Kathimerini. Archived from the original on 2025-01-18. Retrieved 2025-01-20. Οι ίδιες πηγές επισημαίνουν ότι η διαδικασία επιλογής έχει σχεδόν ολοκληρωθεί με τους επιτελείς να προκρίνουν το ισραηλινής προέλευσης σύστημα PULS. Η «Κ» αποκαλύπτει όλες τις πτυχές της συμφωνίας που προωθείται ανάμεσα στην Ελλάδα και το Ισραήλ, λίγο πριν η προμήθεια έρθει για κύρωση στη Βουλή και το ΚΥΣΕΑ. [...] Οι εκτοξευτές θα είναι εποχούμενοι, με το ΓΕΣ να επιλέγει τα φορτηγά της IVECO ως φορείς, όπως στην έκδοση που έχει επιλέξει ο γερμανικός στρατός. Τα φορτηγά είναι εφοδιασμένα με γερανό για την επαναφόρτωση του συστήματος, [...]. [The same sources point out that the selection process is nearly complete, with the military staff favoring the Israeli-made PULS system. "K" reveals all aspects of the agreement being promoted between Greece and Israel, just before the procurement is submitted for ratification to Parliament and the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA). [...] The launchers will be vehicle-mounted, with the Hellenic Army selecting IVECO trucks as carriers, similar to the version chosen by the German military. The trucks are equipped with a crane for reloading the system, [...].]
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