Israeli soldiers cover their ears as a tank fires into Lebanon from Kiryat Shemona on July 20, 2006, during the Second Lebanon War. Photo: Guy Assayag /Flash90.

JNS.org – Israel’s Ministry of Defense has signed a deal with Elbit Systems to develop the world’s most advanced cannon in one of the largest and most intricate military procurement deals in Israeli history.

The cannon will be able to automatically choose one of several shell types to fire, depending on the target, and is ultimately intended to replace Israel’s existing artillery system over the next several years.

The new system will reduce the number of Israel Defense Forces’ soldiers necessary to fight using artillery, and will include mobile cannons, rockets, radars, missile units, training simulators and remote-operated aircraft. The agreement includes maintenance for 20 years.

Elbit Systems posted a net profit of $6.18 million in 2018.

The company was reported to have orders worth $9.4 billion in the works, a 9 percent growth in sales from the previous year.