Canadian Armored Vehicle Manufacturer Roshel Launches Production in Ukraine.

Roshel Smart Armoured Vehicles, a Canadian company, has announced its intention to start manufacturing armored vehicles in Ukraine. This information was provided by CEO Roman Shimonov during an interview with Defence Archives, dated May 9, 2024.
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Roshel plant, an armored vehicle manufacturer in Canada. (Picture source: Roshel)

Shimonov highlighted that Roshel already has several facilities in Ukraine dedicated to the repair and maintenance of vehicles. The company is currently in the final planning stage to localize part of its production in Ukraine. "Roshel employs over 200 Ukrainian refugees in Canada, who have acquired unique expertise by working with us and are eager to return to their country to contribute to local production," explained Shimonov.

This initiative aims to stimulate the local Ukrainian economy and to enhance Roshel's operational capabilities in Europe, thus allowing faster and more efficient service on European markets. Roshel operates four manufacturing plants in Ontario and is planning expansions in the United States and Europe. Furthermore, the plants in Ukraine are ideally positioned to assist in the maintenance and repair of vehicles within the Ukrainian armed forces. Workers in Ukraine are also less expensive than those in Europe or Canada.

The Canadian government recently purchased 200 vehicles of the Senator model from Roshel, valued at 92 million CAD, to support Ukraine. This purchase is part of several contracts aimed at assisting Ukraine, all completed ahead of schedule by Roshel. Additionally, the company shipped 1,000 Senators to Ukraine in December 2023 and is currently producing 140 Senator vehicles per month.

Shimonov also noted that the quality of the vehicles provided to Ukraine has significantly enhanced Roshel's reputation, leading to requests from several other donor countries. Founded in Ontario in 2016 by Roman Shimonov, a veteran of the Israeli Defense Forces, Roshel has become a key supplier of armored vehicles for the Ukrainian armed forces. The company builds its vehicles on a Ford F-550 chassis and operates without subcontractors.

Relations between Roshel and Ukraine have evolved following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Roshel, founded by Roman Shimonov in 2016, quickly adapted its production to meet Ukraine's urgent needs for armored vehicles. The company increased its production tenfold compared to last year, enabling rapid vehicle delivery in Ukraine. This development has not only supported Ukraine but also allowed Roshel to expand its operations.

It is not surprising to see Roshel positioning itself even more in Europe, as the CEO had recently offered MRAP vehicles to Germany, which was experiencing difficulties in delivering its MRAPs. The location of these plants in Ukraine will further strengthen its presence on the old continent, and it will not be surprising to see other initiatives moving in this direction in the future.