Elbit adds another $260 million European deal as NATO countries buy its rocket systems
The latest contract will see the Israeli company supply PULS launchers and munitions over five years. It follows a $750 million agreement with Greece and a separate $235 million European order announced last month.
Elbit Systems has secured a $260 million contract to supply rocket artillery systems and munitions to an undisclosed European member of NATO, adding to a series of major European defense deals that have made the region an increasingly important market for the Israeli defense company.
The five-year contract covers Elbit's Precise & Universal Launching System, known as PULS, and associated munitions. The company did not identify the customer, disclose the number of launchers or rockets involved, or provide further details about the agreement.
The award comes less than a month after Elbit announced a separate $235 million contract to supply PULS launchers and EXTRA-MR precision-guided rockets to a European customer. CTech subsequently reported that the buyer in that deal was Azerbaijan. The two contracts are separate, and the latest announcement specifically identifies its customer as a NATO member.
Elbit has been building a substantial presence in Europe's rocket-artillery market. In April, the company announced a $750 million agreement to supply PULS systems to the Greek armed forces. That deal, signed under an agreement between the Israeli and Greek defense ministries, includes launchers and a package of munitions, with deliveries over four years followed by a decade of support. It also includes cooperation with Greek defense industries and the production of some components locally.
The latest contract adds to a series of European deals with countries including Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Denmark.
PULS is a multiple-launch rocket system designed to fire different types of unguided rockets, precision-guided munitions and missiles at varying ranges. Its launcher can be mounted on existing wheeled or tracked vehicles, allowing customers to use platforms already in their military inventories rather than acquire an entirely new vehicle fleet.
Elbit President and CEO Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis said the latest award reflected the system's continued selection by European and NATO customers. "The continued selection of the PULS system by European and NATO customers reflects the system’s operational maturity, versatility and ability to address the evolving requirements of modern armed forces," he said. "This contract further reflects Elbit Systems’ long-term partnerships with European customers and our role in supporting major defense modernization programs across the region."
