Elbit Systems SIGMA 155 mm

History

The SIGMA 155 mm L/52 is a fully automated truck-mounted self-propelled howitzer developed by Elbit Systems of Israel. In 2021, Elbit announced a $106 million contract to supply the system to an unidentified customer in the Asia-Pacific region, with deliveries scheduled over five years; that customer was subsequently identified as the Singapore Army. The system completed a 10,000 km reliability and mobility trial in the Nevada desert before entering service. The Israeli Defence Forces officially integrated the SIGMA, designated “Roem” in IDF service, in 2025 to replace ageing M109 platforms. The Singapore Army made its first public display of the system on 2 October 2026 during the 50th anniversary of the 6th Singapore Division. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the truck-mounted gun will become the Army’s next-generation howitzer and will progressively replace the tracked SSPH Primus and the towed FH-2000.

Design

The SIGMA pairs a 155 mm 52-calibre cannon with a fully automated turret that handles ammunition selection, loading, and gun laying without crew exposure. In the IDF Roem configuration the gun is mounted on a 10×10 high-mobility wheeled chassis. All firing operations are conducted from an armoured cabin, and a typical crew of three (commander, gunner, and driver) operates the system, compared with roughly seven on the M109 it replaces.

Fire control is software-based and, in the IDF configuration, incorporates an artificial intelligence engine that calculates real-time firing solutions and automatically optimises projectile, propellant, and fuze selection. First-shot engagement is achievable within approximately 60 seconds of halting, with a reported circular deviation of roughly 0.7%. The turret carries 40 projectiles, 216 modular charge units, and 45 primers in automated magazines. Maximum rate of fire is eight rounds per minute. The system supports Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact, in which several projectiles are fired on different trajectories so they reach the target within a short interval. Transition from travelling to firing position takes approximately 30 seconds in the Singapore configuration and under one minute in the IDF configuration, supporting rapid shoot-and-scoot operations to reduce exposure to counter-battery radars and reconnaissance drones.

With standard 155 mm ammunition the SIGMA engages targets at approximately 40 km. An export-oriented configuration is promoted with ranges of up to roughly 80 km using extended-range or rocket-assisted munitions.

Operational history

The IDF Artillery Corps has integrated the SIGMA “Roem” to replace M109 self-propelled howitzers as part of a broader digitisation and automation programme for Israeli ground forces. In Singapore, the SIGMA is being introduced within the 6th Singapore Division, a combined-arms formation that also operates Leopard 2SG main battle tanks and HIMARS rocket launchers. The system is designated to progressively replace both the tracked SSPH Primus and the towed FH-2000, reducing the manpower and logistical demands associated with Singapore’s artillery force in a small state with limited geographic depth for artillery dispersal.

Variants

• IDF “Roem” – Configuration in Israeli Defence Forces service on a 10×10 wheeled chassis with AI-driven fire control; in service replacing M109 systems.
• Singapore Army SIGMA 155 mm L/52 – Truck-mounted configuration being introduced to the 6th Singapore Division; progressively replacing SSPH Primus and FH-2000. The system closely matches Elbit’s SIGMA design, though Singapore’s Ministry of Defence has not publicly identified the manufacturer.
• Export configuration – Promoted variant with extended-range or rocket-assisted munitions for ranges up to approximately 80 km.

Operators

• Israel – IDF Artillery Corps; in service as “Roem”, replacing M109 howitzers.
• Singapore – Singapore Army, 6th Division; being introduced, progressively replacing SSPH Primus and FH-2000.

Specifications (IDF Roem configuration)

General characteristics

• Crew: 3 (commander, gunner, driver)
• Platform: 10×10 high-mobility wheeled chassis
• Turret: Fully automated; all firing conducted from armoured cabin

Armament

• Main gun: 155 mm L/52
• Magazine: 40 projectiles, 216 modular charge units, 45 primers (automated)
• Maximum rate of fire: 8 rounds per minute
• Capabilities: Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact; AI-optimised round, charge, and fuze selection

Performance

• Range (standard 155 mm): approximately 40 km
• Range (extended / rocket-assisted, export config): up to approximately 80 km
• First-shot time: approximately 60 seconds
• Deploy time (travel to firing): under 1 minute
• Circular deviation: approximately 0.7%

Related equipment

• M109 Paladin – Legacy tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzer being replaced by the SIGMA in IDF service.
• SSPH Primus – Tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzer in Singapore Army service, being replaced by the SIGMA.
• FH-2000 – Towed 155 mm howitzer in Singapore Army service, being replaced by the SIGMA.