The Sholef Self-Propelled Gun

The Sholef was an attempt at an SPG (Self-propelled gun) based on the Merkava Mark 1 chassis.

The name "Sholef" (Hebrew: "שולף") literally translates as “drawing” or “drawer” in the “pull something out” meaning of “to draw” - for that reason, it is equally translatable as “Slammer” or “Gunslinger”.

The project was a 1980 initiative by Soltam’s CEO at the time Yakov Lior. IDF’s at the time Commander of the General Staff (CGS) - Rafael Eitan was on board with the idea, but the IDF could not afford it. Eventually, Lior offered that Soltam would pay for the development of the turret and 155mm cannon, while the MoD would fund the trials, providing hulls, crews, fuel, and ammunition. The project officially started in 1980, yet it was closed down for a short while between September 1981 and January 1982. 

Only two prototypes were ever built - the second prototype was completed in early 1987 had a few improvements over the first, most notably an L/52 cannon in place of the L/45.

Over the project's life, the two prototypes have taken part in regular IDF exercises and routine security operations. The L/45 Sholef prototype even fired its cannon in Lebanon during an operation on December 16th, 1990.

The Sholef featured, as previously mentioned, an L/52 155mm cannon capable of firing out to 40km at a max sustainable rate of 9 rounds per minute or a 3-round burst in 15 seconds. Mobility was similar to the Merkava tank, having the same engine. Unlike the Merkava, the Sholef had an auxiliary power unit. The crew of the Sholef consisted of four. The automatic loader had a flick rammer and could load from an external stockpile. Automatic gun laying was achieved using an inertial navigation and guidance computer and was also capable of direct fire. General survivability was improved compared to the other SPGs in the IDF stocks of the time. The roof armor, for example, was rated to protect versus the M42 submunition. The Sholef also had a central NBC/CBRN unit and blowout stowage for its propellant charges.

In early 1992, the IDF established a committee to investigate artillery acquisition options. It seems three main possibilities arose:

• Buying M270 MLRS.

• Modernizing and updating the M109s.

• Manufacturing Sholef SPGs.

At the time, due to budgetary restraints, the MoD was short on liquidable local currency (NIS). By March 1993, the MoD decided to pursue the two former options - buying the MLRS and upgrading the M109s as those could be paid for in American aid dollars.

The project was officially closed in late 1993. Soltam for its part kept the second prototype for demonstrations to potential customers, only giving up on selling Sholef by 1997. As of 2022, the first (L/45) prototype is on display at Biet Ha’Totchan (Hebrew: בית התותחן - The Gunner’s House) which is the Artillery Corps memorial and museum located in Zichron Yaakov. The second (L/52) prototype is still in one of the Soltam factories and is not accessible to the public.