In mid-June, the Ministry of Defense of Peru launched a private international competition with the aim of selecting a strategic partner for the co-production, together with FAME SAC, of a new multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) intended to equip the Peruvian Army.
Thus, on July 14, the contract award (“Buena Pro”) was granted to Elbit Systems, the Israeli company that proposed its PULS system, thereby becoming the new partner to advance in the modernization of Peru’s medium- and long-range fire support artillery capabilities.
According to original reports and the general guidelines published on June 18, three companies participated in the competition, each offering their most advanced rocket artillery systems, namely:
- Elbit Systems of Israel, with the PULS artillery system
- Norinco of China, with the SR-5 artillery system
- Roketsan of Turkey, with the MBRL system
However, as reported on July 14, the Turkish proposal was quickly dismissed. Among the reasons cited: “… although all required affidavits were submitted as mandated by the guidelines, no copies of the company’s Articles of Incorporation or Anti-Fraud Policy were attached. Additionally, several required supporting documents were omitted…”.
As a result, the proposals from Israel and China remained as the final contenders under official consideration to move forward in the competition, being qualified for the subsequent phases.
As the evaluation process advanced, Elbit Systems’ proposal—based on the PULS MRLS—ultimately prevailed over that of Norinco. Although both options were attractive, the fact that the Israeli system already has current and future customers—such as Germany, with the EURO PULS, and the Netherlands—as well as other global operators like Azerbaijan, Morocco, and Thailand, may have been one of the decisive factors in its favor.
Currently, the PULS stands as a significant capability for strengthening artillery units, offering a medium- and long-range fire support platform compatible with both guided and unguided rockets of various types, as well as surface-to-surface missiles.
To cite the most recent example among its European operators, the Dutch Army opted for the PULS over the American HIMARS, since the high demand for the latter would hinder a rapid adoption within the timelines and deadlines required by the institution.
Nonetheless, this is not the only determining factor in the decision, as the PULS can employ “… guided and unguided rockets of different calibers, such as the 122 mm Accular (with a range of up to 35 km), the 306 mm Extra (150 km), and the 370 mm Predator Hawk, capable of striking targets at a distance of 300 km.”
Finally, with the awarding of the Buena Pro by the Peruvian state, Elbit Systems and FAME SAC will begin formal negotiations to finalize this selection through a contract that will allow the respective investments to begin, paving the way for the future incorporation of the PULS artillery system into Peruvian Army units.
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes
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