PULS (multiple rocket launcher)

PULS
File:PULS MLRS Landmacht 1.jpg PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System)
Type	Multiple rocket launcher Tactical ballistic missile launcher
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
Wars	Second Nagorno-Karabakh War Gaza war
Production history
Designer	Israel Military Industries
Manufacturer	Israel Military Industries (now Elbit Systems)
Specifications
Caliber	122 mm 160 mm 306 mm 330 mm 370 mm
Maximum firing range	300 km
Guidance system	GPS and INS

PULS ("Precise & Universal Launching System", formerly known as Lynx MRL) is a multiple rocket launcher developed and manufactured by ELBIT Systems (formerly Israel Military Industries) and used by Israel Defense Forces and other countries.

History

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). The Defense Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand is partnering with Elbit Systems to develop a Thai version of the PULS called D-11A.

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.

In January 2023, Denmark announced it is negotiating the acquisition of 8 PULS systems for the Royal Danish Army.

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. The contract worth 305 million dollars was signed on May 18.

On 10 October 2023, the government of Spain decided to order the locally manufactured version of the PULS systems for SILAM programme (es:SILAM).

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.

Design

File:PULS MLRS Landmacht 2.jpg

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.

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.

Missile options

Rocket / missile	Diameter	Weight	Max. quantity	Guidance	Max. range	Accuracy CEP	Warhead
GRAD	122 mm	66 kg	18 pcs / pod 36 pcs / vehicle	none	40 km	500 m	20 kg
LAR160	160 mm	110 kg	13 pcs / pod 26 pcs / vehicle	none	45 km	n.a.	46 kg
Accular 122	122 mm	72 kg	18 pcs / pod 36 pcs / vehicle	GPS/INS	35 km	10 m	20 kg
Accular 160	160 mm	n.a.	13 pcs / pod 26 pcs / vehicle	GPS/INS	40 km	10 m	35 kg
SkyStriker UAV	n.a.	n.a.	6 pcs / pod 12 pcs / vehicle	CCD/IR and GPS/INS	100+ km	1 m	5–10 kg
EXTRA	306 mm	570 kg	4 pcs / pod 8 pcs / vehicle	GPS/INS	150 km	10 m	120 kg
Delilah (cruise missile)	330 mm	187 kg	2 pcs / pod 4 pcs / vehicle	CCD/IR and GPS/INS	250 km	1 m	30 kg
Predator Hawk	370 mm	800 kg	2 pcs / pod 4 pcs / vehicle	GPS/INS	300 km	10 m	140 kg

Practice missiles with a range between 7–15 km are also available for the PULS system.

File:Azeri Lynx Extra, parade in Baku, 2013.JPG

Lynx launcher of the Azerbaijani Land Forces with EXTRA rocket pods

File:Defense Technology Institute Thailand, D11A MRLS..jpg

D-11A MLRS of the Royal Thai Army on a Tatra 815-7 chassis

Operators

Current operators

Israel

• Israeli Ground Forces – Under the name "Lahav"[he], mounted on a HEMTT chassis (picture), in service since 2020.

Azerbaijan

• Azerbaijani Land Forces – 6 Lynx and 50 EXTRA missiles were acquired and then used in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Denmark

• 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. All the launchers and missiles were handed over by the end first quarter of 2024. 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.

Netherlands

• Royal Netherlands Army – 20 PULS on order on Scania Gryphus chassis with armoured cabins. Contract worth US$305 million was signed on 18 May 2023, four vehicles to be delivered in 2023.
• 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.

Kazakhstan

• Kazakh Ground Forces – 18 Lynx and 50 EXTRA rockets ordered in 2007, delivered in 2008–09. The Naiza (a derivative of the Lynx) is a derivative of the Lynx developed in collaboration, based on the KamAZ-6350 8×8 chassis.

Rwanda

• Rwandan Army – 5 Lynx ordered in 2007, in service since 2008.

Serbia

• Serbian Army – Elbit Systems announced in 2024 that it was awarded a contract worth approximately $335 million to supply PULS multiple rocket launchers to the Serbian Army. The contract will be performed over a period of 3.5 years. The first PULS launcher was shown on military parade in 2025.

Unknown customers

• 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.
• 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.

Future operators

Germany

File:MBDA, ILA 2024, Schoenefeld (ILA45445).jpg

Mock-up of a EURO-PULS for the German Army

• 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. The purchase was approved by the parliament in December 2024. It is likely to be installed on an armoured Iveco Trakker FSA 8×8 (GTF ZLK 15t).

Peru

• Peruvian army - Selected in July 2025 to modernize Peruvian army's artilley capabilities in a deal that includes technology transfer and local production.

Potential operators

Austria

• 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.

Bulgaria

• 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.

Greece

• 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. If purchased, the Hellenic Army will acquire 36 or 40 of the European version, EURO PULS MLRS, in a deal of €600-700 million, with the construction of some of the components in Greece, according to reports. The plan includes the acquisition of Accular, EXTRA, and primarily Predator Hawk rockets. The inclusion of SkyStriker UAV/loitering munitions, will be a request the Greek Army will make, according to media reports from January 2025. 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.

Norway

• 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.

Philippines

• Philippine Army – Actively competing against the American HIMARS and South Korean K239 Chunmoo systems for the MLRS Acquisition Project.

Thailand

• Royal Thai Army – The RTA is testing a localized version of the PULS.

Cancelled

Spain

• Spanish Army – 16 PULS systems ordered in October 2023 for the SILAM MLRS ("Sistema Lanzador de Alta Movilidad") program for approximately €576.5 million. Contract cancelled in September 2025 due to the Gaza war.

See also

• ACCULAR

Vehicle of similar era & design

• TOS-1
• 9A52-4 Tornado
• M270 MLRS
• M142 HIMARS
• K239 Chunmoo
• Thunderbolt-2000
• LRSVM Morava
• T-122 Sakarya
• Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher
• Astros II
• Fajr-5
• A-100 – (China)
• PHL-03