Canada’s Roshel to Build Factory in Ukraine to Produce Senator Armored Vehicles.

The Canadian company Roshel, renowned for its armored vehicles, plans to open a factory in Ukraine to produce Senator armored personnel carriers (APCs) to meet the growing demand due to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. This information was made public at the beginning of June 2024.
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A Roshel plant producing Senators in Canada. (Picture source: Roshel)

Roshel initially produced armored vehicles for commercial purposes, but with the war in Ukraine, its Senator vehicles have been adapted for combat operations. In response to the effectiveness and demand for these vehicles, Roshel decided to establish itself in Ukraine. Currently, half of Roshel's production is destined for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and security agencies. Additionally, one-third of Roshel's workforce consists of Ukrainian refugees.

To date, 1,140 Senator vehicles have been delivered to Ukraine, making it one of the most used models in the ongoing war. Roshel has not only established strong partnerships in Ukraine but its vehicles have also gained significant combat experience.

Roshel plans to invest tens of millions of dollars in the new Ukrainian factory, creating hundreds of jobs, some of which will be filled by Ukrainian refugees currently working in Canada. This initiative is part of Roshel’s broader plans to formally integrate into the Ukrainian defense industry, thereby contributing to the national economy.

Roshel’s CEO, Roman Shimonov, is convinced that the future factory will not only be able to compete with local producers in the Ukrainian market but also export armored vehicles to Europe, thus generating foreign currency for Ukraine. To meet the needs of the Ukrainian market, Roshel's Senator vehicles have been transformed into Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. This adaptation involved thousands of design modifications based on feedback from Ukrainian operators.

The Senator MRAP is built on the civilian Ford F550 chassis and offers STANAG 2 ballistic protection and STANAG 3 blast protection. These vehicles have been tested according to NATO standards, ensuring their effectiveness in combat situations.

Roshel maintains a stock of 100 armored vehicles ready for rapid delivery to Ukraine. As of May 2024, Roshel was producing 140 armored vehicles per month, with half of this production sent to Ukraine. The demand for these vehicles is driven by needs for medical evacuation, personnel movement, cargo delivery, and military assaults.

In March 2024, the company announced a $65 million investment in new facilities in Canada. It also seeks to expand into the U.S. and European markets, particularly aiming for a German contract for 400 armored vehicles for Ukraine.

Competing with local Ukrainian producers is a challenge, but Roshel sees Ukraine as a favorable environment for defense industry investments due to its strong infrastructure and skilled workforce. Shimonov believes that post-war Ukraine will become a major regional player, attracting significant investments.

Roshel’s new Ukrainian factory will not only provide local jobs but also open doors to the European market. The company takes precautions to secure its operations against potential threats, particularly Russian strikes.

Roshel's establishment in Ukraine aims to strengthen the local economy and the country’s defense capabilities, setting a model for future foreign investments in the Ukrainian defense industry.