From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 16, 2026
IDF deploys new howitzer for first time amid Lebanon ground offensive
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
This week, the IDF Artillery Corps conducted its first operational shelling with the new Ro’em self-propelled howitzer, in support of ground forces operating in southern Lebanon.
The 282nd Artillery Regiment used the Ro’em, also known as the SIGMA 155, to shell Hezbollah rocket and anti-tank launch sites. The military says the shelling was “deemed successful and yielded achievements.”
The IDF says the Ro’em brings “groundbreaking capabilities to the battlefield,” including increased fire-rate, longer firing ranges, and better mobility than existing howitzers.
The Ro’em will enter service gradually through the conversion of artillery battalions that currently operate the aging M109 howitzer.
The Times of Israel Community.